In 2024, a seed of hope was planted in Davao City. It wasn’t money, fame, or sponsorships that watered it, but a dream—that every child, no matter their background, could step onto the pitch with pride, confidence, and equal opportunity. That dream grew into Ciudad Football Club Davao. Founded by Ivanly Pogio, Manilyn Pogio, Nikki Irrae Bueno, Matthew Requilman, Alaine Alba, Kristine Nague, and Girlie Alba, Ciudad FC was never built on corporate backing or wealthy investors. Instead, it was built on something stronger: belief. Belief that football can change lives, unite communities, and give children across Mindanao a home where they truly belong.
From Many Cities, One Family
The name Ciudad carries a spirit bigger than football. Children from different towns and provinces travel hours just to wear the club’s jersey, gathering in Davao City each weekend. On the field, differences vanish. They are not just teammates—they are family, bound together by sweat, sacrifice, and the love of the game.
“From many cities, we unite as ONE Ciudad FC.”
That motto isn’t just painted on banners—it’s lived out in every cheer, every huddle, every game.
Humble Beginnings, Rising Dreams
Ciudad FC began with only ten players, a few balls, and one promise: every child plays, every child belongs. No one would sit endlessly on the bench. No dream would be denied because of money.
Week after week, children came—sometimes traveling for hours, sometimes borrowing shoes, always carrying hope. Parents became coaches, drivers, and cheerleaders. Slowly, the family grew.
Today, Ciudad FC Davao is home to nearly 80 players across multiple age groups. Scholarships help lighten the burden for those in need, and inclusivity remains at the heart of everything. If a child shows up with the will to play, Ciudad FC finds a way to make space. Here, football is not a privilege. It is a birthright.
Guided by “The Playmaker”
At the helm stands Coach Dave P. Deloso, known to many as The Playmaker. A former PFL team player and 3-time UAAP Champion, he brings more than tactics and drills—he brings wisdom earned from years in the game.
- 3- time UAAP Champion with FEU
- Former player for FEU, NU, Garelli, Mendiola FC, and Manila Montet FC
- 2-time Palarong Pambansa Champion with Team NCR
Experienced across multiple positions: Defender, Midfielder, Striker, and Goalkeeper
From the streets of FEU to the fields of the PFL, Coach Dave has lived football in all its forms. At Ciudad FC, he passes on not just skills, but values—discipline, humility, resilience—that will serve these children long after the final whistle. For the kids, training under him isn’t just about football. It’s about learning how to live with courage, respect, and heart.
More Than Training, It’s Transformation
Ciudad FC’s training isn’t about rigid drills alone. It’s about purpose. Regular sessions run four times a week, complemented by specialized programs in goalkeeping, outreach, and private training. But what truly sets the club apart is its philosophy: equal playing time, even for substitutes. Because Ciudad believes confidence is built not from the bench, but from the chance to step on the field. As one parent shared, “Our kids didn’t just learn to play football here— they learned to believe in themselves.”
Chasing Glory, One Goal at a Time
Ciudad FC Davao doesn’t just join tournaments—they embrace them as milestones of growth. From local leagues to international grounds, the club has proven that heart can stand tall against history and money.
- 🏆 Thirsty Cup Champions –where their U9s claimed the crown
- 🥈 IFC Bali Tournament Runner-Up – a stage where their young striker, Mavin Pogio, was hailed Best Forward.
- 🥉 Plate Division Podium Finishers –another Bali triumph, proving they belong on international soil.
Each medal tells a bigger story: kids who dared to dream, families who sacrificed, and a community that believed. Ciudad FC is proof that when football is played with heart, the world takes notice.
More Than a Club — A Home
Beyond the pitch, Ciudad FC is building character, hope, and community. Parents stand as the club’s strongest allies—driving children to training, fundraising for tournaments, and filling sidelines with the loudest cheers. Schools and local partners open their fields, offering safe spaces for growth. What money cannot provide, love and unity do. Every training feels like more than a session—it’s a family reunion. Children laugh, learn, fall, rise, and fight side by side. And in those moments, they’re not just building footballers. They’re building leaders, dreamers, and better human beings.
The Road Ahead
Ciudad FC’s vision is bold yet simple:
- Grow the family with more programs for all age groups
- Expand opportunities to play in national and international tournaments
- Break barriers by offering more scholarships
- Strengthen foundations with better access to fields and facilities
- Shape character- raising players who are not just athletes, but leaders in life
The challenges remain real: limited facilities, scarce sponsorships, and the struggle to keep football affordable. But Ciudad knows that dreams are built on persistence. As the founders often say: “Three years from now, Ciudad FC will be one of the most solid youth clubs in Mindanao—united, growing, and always chasing glory one goal at a time.”
More Than a Club, A Movement
What sets Ciudad apart is its culture. Walk into a training session and you’ll see it instantly—discipline and laughter intertwining, players encouraging one another, and parents standing close by, not as spectators, but as part of the family.
For Ciudad FC, the greatest trophy is not a medal— it’s a generation of kids who learn teamwork, respect, and resilience through the game they love.
A Message to Every Young Dreamer
Ciudad FC Davao’s message is simple but powerful: Dream without fear. Play with heart. Keep showing up. You don’t need riches or privilege to belong. You just need the courage to chase the ball, the humility to respect others, and the persistence to keep training. Because here, every child is welcome. Every child has a place.
OneFutbol’s Tribute
At OneFutbol, we believe that football is not just about winning titles—it’s about winning lives. Ciudad Football Club Davao is proof. From its humble start with ten kids and a dream, to competing internationally with courage and honor, Ciudad has shown us what’s possible when passion fuels purpose. Every cheer from the sidelines, every kick on the pitch, every child who dares to dream—together, they form the heartbeat of Ciudad FC. So, their story continues: One team. One family. One future. And as they proudly say in Davao: “Chasing Glory, One Goal at a Time.” ⚽
📲 To support Ciudad FC Davao, reach them at 09156729488 or visit their official Facebook page: Ciudad Football Club Davao
