From humble fields to community pride, WLAC FC proves that the heart of football beats strongest in Zambales.
Where It All Began
In 2012, long before football became a buzzword in Zambales, a small group of dreamers gathered on a dusty field with one shared vision — to bring the beautiful game to their province and give local youth a place to grow, compete, and belong.
Inspired by the rise of the Philippine Azkals and the artistry of FC Barcelona, WLAC Football Club was born — led by Franklin C. Barnachea and co-founders Ron Christian Reyes, Jan Federick Claveria, Eric Narvas, Christian Dimalaluan, John Michael Fababier, Yanni Glen Madarang, Belmark Remorin, Margarette Balmonte, John Clifford Corpus, Deo Amor Plaza, Carlo Manalansan, Jester Nato, Bryan Artillera, and Ronel De Guzman.
Together, they built something more than a football club.
They built a home — a place where passion, teamwork, and belonging would take root.
A Name That Honors a Legacy
WLAC Football Club carries with it a proud history. The club’s name pays tribute to the Western Luzon Agricultural College, now known as President Ramon Magsaysay State University – San Marcelino Campus.
For the founders, it wasn’t just about football. It was about identity — about honoring the institution that shaped them and uniting students, alumni, and the surrounding communities under a single banner of pride and purpose.
Humble Roots, Big Dreams
WLAC’s earliest teams were made up of agriculture students who had more heart than gear. They practiced on uneven fields, often sharing footballs and training cones — but their determination outshone their limitations.
By their first year, WLAC FC became a recognized student organization, hosting basic football clinics and competing in local tournaments. Before long, they began partnering with DepEd schools, introducing grassroots training programs that would light the spark for hundreds of young players across Zambales.
Those small steps became the foundation of a thriving football ecosystem — one that continues to produce disciplined, talented players who now compete in regional athletic meets and university-level competitions.
Developing Players — and People
Today, WLAC FC trains players from ages 7 to 17+, with regular sessions held late in the afternoon — where the setting sun meets the rhythm of the ball.
Under Head Coach Franklin C. Barnachea (PFF Youth Coaching Certificate), the club lives by a simple but powerful belief:
“Training is a continuous process of learning — we cannot teach what we do not understand.”
Beyond the drills and tactics, the club teaches character. Every player learns discipline, humility, teamwork, and respect — the cornerstones of the WLAC identity.
Older players mentor the younger ones, and everyone is treated like family. Whether through their Girls’ and Women’s Football, Futsal, or School-Based Outreach Programs, WLAC ensures the sport remains inclusive — because football, in their eyes, belongs to everyone.
Family. Unity. Football.
On any given afternoon, the WLAC pitch is alive — laughter mixing with the echoes of passing drills. Siblings, classmates, cousins, and neighbors all train together, bound by one shared cry that echoes across the field:
“WLAC FC!!! PLAY AS ONE!!!”
This family-oriented culture has become the club’s heartbeat — a place where every member feels valued, where camaraderie and competition coexist, and where the lessons learned on the pitch extend far beyond it.
Competing With Pride
Over the years, WLAC FC has carried the Zambales name with pride across countless tournaments — both local and national — including:
- PFF U19 OCZFA Domestic Qualifiers
- Clark International Football Association (CIFA) Cup
- United Ilocos Football Festival
- Winter Cup (Baguio City)
- Bolinao Super Cup
- BASA Airbase Football Cup
- Subic-Gapo Football Festival
- Zambales FFA Futsal Cup
- Iba United Football League
And their growing list of triumphs continues to inspire:
🏆 Champion – Zambales FFA Futsal Cup (2023, 2025)
🥉 2nd Runner Up – Subic-Gapo Football Festival (2022)
🥉 2nd Runner Up – PFF U19 OCZFA Domestic Qualifier (2025)
Even more inspiring are their alumni — players who have represented the region in PFF U19 National Finals, PFF U17 Regional Qualifiers, and National SCUAA tournaments. Each one a testament to WLAC’s philosophy: play with heart, win with humility.
Football for the Community
WLAC FC is more than a club — it’s a movement of hope. Through partnerships with DepEd, the university, and Barangay officials, the club has become a vital part of youth development in Zambales.
They’ve formalized these partnerships through a Memorandum of Agreement, ensuring long-term sustainability for grassroots football — turning young dreamers into disciplined athletes and community leaders.
Vision for the Future
In the next three years, WLAC Football Club envisions evolving into a full-fledged football academy — one that continues to expand its reach, upgrade its facilities, and host national-level competitions.
But like many community-driven clubs, WLAC FC faces real challenges — from funding and logistics to player discipline and program sustainability.
Yet through it all, their passion remains unshaken. Because to them, football has never been about luxury — it’s about legacy.
The Game That Defined Them
One of WLAC FC’s most unforgettable moments came during their first official match — against the provincial team that had just competed in a regional tournament.
For most WLAC players, it was their first real test. They conceded the opening goal from a controversial penalty. But instead of breaking, they bonded — fighting back with discipline, trust, and heart.
The match ended 8–1 in favor of WLAC FC.
A victory that marked not just the start of their journey — but the birth of their identity.
A Message to Every Aspiring Footballer
“Learn football the right way.
Keep dreaming, keep developing your skills.
Be competitive, but stay grounded in discipline and courtesy —
both inside and outside the field.”
OneFutbol Salutes WLAC Football Club
At OneFutbol, we celebrate WLAC Football Club for proving that greatness begins with passion, not privilege.
Their story reminds us that football is more than a sport — it’s a bridge that connects generations, uplifts communities, and teaches us to play as one.
Mabuhay, WLAC FC. Continue to inspire Zambales and the nation — one kick, one goal, one heart at a time.
WLAC FC — PLAY AS ONE!
📞 Coach Franklin C. Barnachea
📧 frank09barnachea@gmail.com
📱 0916 331 2669
⚽ Facebook: WLAC Football Club
