Tamasak Panabo FC and the unstoppable will of a small club making a big difference.
In 2018, on a modest pitch in Brgy. Gredu, Panabo City, a new heartbeat began to echo across Davao del Norte — the sound of dreams being chased, of boots striking the ball against the fading sunset.
That heartbeat belonged to Tamasak Panabo Football Club, a name that today stands for pride, perseverance, and purpose.
At the center of it all is Coach Fritz Evan Galladora — a man whose love for football burns as fiercely as his belief in its power to transform lives. A former Philippine Air Force player and ASEAN Youth U16 standout, Coach Fritz carried his discipline from the military and his experience from the pitch into something far greater: a mission.
“Football teaches more than how to win. It teaches how to rise — again and again,” Coach Fritz shares.
The Spirit of the White Horse
The name “Tamasak” comes from a white horse of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo — the Football Capital of the Philippines. In Ilonggo folklore, Tamasak was known for its spirit — wild, fearless, unbroken. It became the perfect symbol for what the club stood for: strength, resilience, and determination.
From the start, Tamasak Panabo Football Club wasn’t just about football. It was about values — hard work, humility, passion, and respect. In every training session, children as young as four learned not just how to kick a ball, but how to stand tall.
Building Players. Shaping Character. Inspiring Lives.
Every weekday at 4:30 PM, as the rest of the city begins to slow down, the field at Panabo comes alive. Children — some wearing hand-me-down cleats, others barefoot — run, fall, and rise again under the watchful eyes of Coach Fritz and his assistants.
Divided into age groups from 4 to 16, players learn consistency, focus, and accountability through training that blends technique with character-building.
Encouragement replaces criticism. Respect replaces ego.
Here, every mistake is a lesson — not a failure.
Armed with an AFC C License, Coach Fritz molds not just players but people — young dreamers who learn to handle victory with humility and defeat with grace.
A Club That Changed a City
Tamasak Panabo FC holds the proud distinction of being the first officially registered football club in Panabo City’s Regional Football Association — a milestone that inspired four other clubs to follow suit.
What began with a handful of kids has grown into a thriving community backed by passionate parents, schools, and the local government.
Their mantra says it all:
“Be humble in winning, and gracious in losing.”
This mindset — rooted in humility — has become their north star. It’s why every player, parent, and volunteer feels that being part of Tamasak isn’t just joining a club; it’s joining a family.
From Grassroots to Greatness
From their early matches to national tournaments, Tamasak Panabo FC’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Since 2018, the club has collected an astonishing 46 championship titles, competing in elite tournaments such as the Alaska Cup, Thirsty Cup, Philippine Premier Cup, and Pre-Palarong Pambansa.
And their success story doesn’t end there.
One of their own made it to Makati FC, joining the Gothia Cup World Youth Cup Champion Team — proof that even a dream born on a small Panabo pitch can reach the global stage.
Beyond Trophies — The True Measure of Success
For Coach Fritz, winning medals is not the goal — building character is.
“You can rest, but you never quit,” he reminds his players.
It’s a message that echoes beyond football — one that resonates deeply with every child who has faced life’s challenges off the field.
The club’s community programs — from futsal and school outreach to youth development initiatives — make sure no child is left behind. Whether or not they become champions, every player learns the essence of teamwork, respect, and discipline — values that will carry them far beyond the final whistle.
The Road Ahead: Dreams Still Galloping Forward
Like many grassroots clubs, Tamasak faces challenges — limited gear, financial strain, and the burden of supporting scholar players. Yet, none of these obstacles have slowed their gallop.
In the years ahead, the club dreams of seeing more of its players reach the UAAP, or even wear the colors of the Philippine National Team. But more importantly, they aim to keep football alive in the hearts of Panabo’s youth — as a sport, a purpose, and a path.
The Heartbeat of Filipino Football
Tamasak Panabo FC stands today as one of Mindanao’s proudest grassroots success stories — a living testament that greatness doesn’t begin with privilege; it begins with passion.
Every drop of sweat, every scraped knee, every smile after training — it all builds something bigger than the game itself. It builds a generation of Filipinos who play with heart, lead with humility, and rise with purpose.
“We don’t just train players,” says Coach Fritz.
“We build people who believe in themselves.”
From that humble field in Panabo, a white horse continues to run — carrying with it the dreams of every child who dares to chase the beautiful game.
Brgy. Gredu, Panabo City, Davao del Norte
0975 780 3395
fritzevangalladora464@gmail.com
OneFutbol proudly salutes Tamasak Panabo Football Club — for proving that in every corner of the Philippines, football is not just a sport. It is a way to lift lives, unite communities, and build dreams that never stop running.
