From Play to Purpose: The Journey of Mabuhay Football Club – Sibol ng Cabuyao
In the vibrant heart of Baclaran, Cabuyao, Laguna, where tricycles hum through narrow streets and children’s laughter fills the humid afternoon air, something extraordinary took root back in 2011.
It wasn’t just a game starting — it was a movement.
On an old tennis court, under the watchful sun, a 14-year-old girl named Angelica May Fernandez Vida gathered a few children, a single football, and a handful of cones. Her dream was simple yet profound: to give kids a place to play, learn, and belong.
That humble camp — organized entirely for free — would become the birthplace of Mabuhay Football Club – Sibol ng Cabuyao, now one of the most inspiring grassroots football communities in Southern Luzon.
And at its heart still beats the same unwavering belief that began it all:
“Play with your heart. Learn from your mistakes. Lead with your passion.”
The Spark That Started It All
Coach Angelica — affectionately known as Coach Angge — didn’t wait for funding, fame, or facilities. She simply acted on faith.
Armed with determination, she transformed that cracked tennis court into a field of dreams.
Every kick, every shout, and every smile from the children reminded her that football could be more than a sport — it could be a lifeline.
Soon, what began as a small summer program grew into a thriving community. Kids brought their friends, parents joined as volunteers, and neighbors began to cheer from the sidelines.
In a town that once had little space for sports, Mabuhay Football Club became a symbol of unity, resilience, and hope.
Learning Beyond the Game
Now, more than a decade later, Mabuhay Football Club has become a home for players of all ages — from toddlers in the 4–6 age group to young men and women in open divisions.
Weekends in Cabuyao have transformed into scenes of life and learning: parents watching proudly, whistles blowing, and children chasing dreams one pass at a time.
An AFC C-licensed coach, Angge leads her players through what she calls learning through experience — an approach that goes far beyond drills and formations.
She teaches lessons of discipline, teamwork, empathy, and leadership — values that build character both on and off the pitch.
Because in her words, “We’re not just raising players. We’re shaping people.”
Programs That Empower
At the core of Mabuhay Football Club’s philosophy is accessibility — football for all.
The club runs Girls’ and Women’s Football, Futsal, and School-based Outreach Programs, bringing the sport to communities that have never seen a proper pitch.
Through outreach sessions and school partnerships, the club opens doors for kids who might never have dreamed they’d play.
Even in the digital age, they’ve mastered using social media as a tool for advocacy — spreading the joy of football to new audiences and proving that passion can thrive even through a phone screen.
A Legacy of Impact
For many young players, Mabuhay Football Club has been more than a weekend activity — it’s been a turning point.
The club has produced scholars, varsity players, and even national representatives. In 2015, two of its U14 girls proudly wore the Philippine flag in the AFC U14 Girls Tournament, a moment that ignited pride across the community.
But perhaps the club’s most beautiful victories are not in medals or standings — they’re in stories. Like that of a young boy who once trained wearing worn-out slippers because he couldn’t afford cleats. He never missed a session, never complained.
The club saw his heart — and soon, teammates pooled together to buy him shoes.
Years later, that same boy would earn a scholarship and play varsity football — a living proof that kindness, perseverance, and opportunity can change a life forever.
Family, Fun, and Football
Ask any parent or player what Mabuhay Football Club means, and the answer is always the same — family.
The club radiates joy and belonging.
From four-year-olds learning their first dribble to adults sweating it out in open tournaments, everyone shares one language — football.
Here, every laugh, every chant, every shared meal after training is part of something bigger.
“Play with your heart. Learn from your mistakes. Lead with your passion.”
Chant: “Mabuhay FC, FIGHT!”
That battle cry has echoed across countless pitches — from Calamba to San Lazaro, from Sta. Cruz to Nuvali, where Mabuhay Football Club proudly represented Cabuyao in tournaments like the Calamba Football Festival, Agila Cup, Governor’s Cup, Laguna Youth League, and Copa San Lazaro.
And while trophies came and went, the spirit stayed — unbreakable, unyielding, Mabuhay!
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Grassroots football is never easy. Mabuhay Football Club has battled limited funding, expensive tournament fees, and the constant loss of players to bigger clubs.
But even through adversity, Coach Angge’s faith never wavered.
“We don’t measure success by what we have,” she says, “but by what we give.”
Her dream for the next three years is clear:
To expand football’s reach in Cabuyao, empower more girls, build more programs, and inspire more lives — proving that even in small towns, the world’s most beautiful game can spark big change.
A Movement of Hope
Mabuhay Football Club stands as a shining reminder of what can happen when purpose meets passion.
It is not just a club — it’s a movement.
A living story of how one young girl’s courage has transformed into a community’s collective heartbeat.
Through football, they’ve built bridges between generations, nurtured character, and given children something the world can never take away — hope.
So when their players take to the field, and the chant rises once again —“MABUHAY FC! FIGHT!” — it’s not just a cheer. It’s a declaration of everything they’ve become: a family, a purpose, and a promise that dreams will always have a home in Cabuyao.
OneFutbol.Asia Salutes Mabuhay Football Club
OneFutbol proudly salutes Mabuhay Football Club – Sibol ng Cabuyao for turning passion into purpose, play into progress, and football into a force for good.
Through the leadership of Coach Angelica May Fernandez Vida, Mabuhay FC proves that the truest victories are not written on scoreboards — they’re written in the lives changed, the dreams sparked, and the communities united by the beautiful game.
If you or your child wish to be part of this inspiring football family, visit Mabuhay FC’s official Facebook page or message Coach Angge directly to join their weekend sessions. Because here in Cabuyao — and in every heart that believes — greatness truly grows from the ground up.
