The Rise of Flag Football in the Philippines
Flag football has touched down in the Philippines and there’s no turning back. Since the launch of the Manila Flag Football League, the sports world has been shaken. Both rookies and professional athletes are asking the same questions – What is flag football? Is this something I can try? And how can I be a part of it?
The good news is with the Manila Flag Football League (MFL) leading the pack. There are numerous opportunities for athletes to try out this “not-so-new” sport. From MFL clinics to MFL’s friendly scrimmages and their much-anticipated grand tournaments, you can bet that you’ll not only get a chance to try it, but get hooked on the sport.
If flag football has been in the Philippines for over a decade, how are we only hearing about it because of MFL? The answer? Showstopping tournaments.
If you’ve been to flag football tournaments in the last decade, you’d know how usually on-the-downlow they are – and that’s fine! They’re fun, community-spirited, and spikes ablazing. But this year, MFL came through with tournaments so polished that it’s hard to see flag football in a different light.
The Manila Flag Football League hosts tournaments that get everyone excited – the athletes, participating brands, celebrities, and even its spectators. Last December 3, MFL hosted a year-end tournament entitled “Santa Bowl.” The biggest tournament of the year assumed automatically by the people. A big milestone in everyone’s comeback year with 10 teams battling for the sought-after MFL championship. It’s a huge drive for something greater than a touchdown.
MFL Santa Bowl
At MFL’s Santa Bowl, KonsultaMD of the Ayala-led Globe group pledged to donate P100,000 worth of healthcare solutions for every catch made in the end zone, and if you know football, every catch means every touchdown and conversion for every game played by every team. Yes, that’s a lot of catches! So much that the Santa Bowl culminated with a total of P12 MILLION RAISED in healthcare solutions which are to be distributed to communities around the VisMin regions by FPUA, MFL’s partner beneficiary.
Not only was MFL able to raise a huge amount for underserved Filipino communities, but they were also able to mount a tournament that challenged every athlete. From nail-biting match-ups to 12 hours of flag football under the heat of the sun. What does not go unnoticed is Anessa’s loud and proud support which seems fitting given the caliber that MFL is at and Anessa’s long-standing reputation of having the best sun-protect technology being the only one that gets stronger with heat, water, sweat, and even air moisture. No wonder these athletes are on their A-game through the tournament.
When asked about their support for MFL, Anessa’s Assistant Brand Manager, Dani de Leon cheerfully exclaims that: “The team and I have been looking for a sport that can naturally and strongly fit Anessa, given Anessa’s unique UV technology. Plus, being a friction-resistant sunscreen brand that comes with skincare benefits, it’s undeniably a perfect fit. The Philippines has a lineup of team sports, but compared to basketball, volleyball, and other common sports in the country, Flag Football brings a new breed of camaraderie, community, and competition which makes this sport such an awaited one for most. The sport and community are inclusive, eager for growth, and definitely a sector that deserves more recognition and we didn’t want to lose the opportunity to be with the country’s flag bearer of flag football, so we jumped in.”
After 12 hours of flag football, 8 head-on games, and months of anticipation, MFL’s Santa Bowl ended with Team Rhinos, led by captain Pereme Alina, snatching that MFL championship. Coming in silver are the Cebu Jaguars led by captain Keneth Sevilla – a team to definitely look out for, and falling behind by only one play in the last few seconds of the game. And in third, is last season’s victors, team New Era led by captain Zach Thibodeau.
Champions: Team Rhinos, led by captain Pereme Alina.
Second Place: Team Cebu Jaguars led by captain Keneth Sevilla
Third Place: Team New Era led by captain Zach Thibodeau.
As Santa Bowl champions, team Rhinos earned themselves a victory party at the exclusive Calor membership lounge, a weekend getaway at Blackwood Nature Homes, and a chance to represent Manila in Cebu this coming 2023.
While Flag Football in the Philippines relaunched with a blast thanks to the Manila Flag Football League, there’s a lot more to watch out for this coming year. A new challenge poses itself upon the recently-launched tournament – a challenge of sustainability and creativity. With this much going on for them, will MFL’s founders be able to keep the degree they’re playing at and what then is next for MFL? How then can they outdo even their best tournaments?
And as we’re all eager to see what MFL comes up with next, what we do know is that MFL is brewing a women’s tournament in line with the upcoming women’s month this March. A ‘Flip-the-Script’ tournament reverses all rules – a twist we can’t wait to know more about. Perhaps another first in the history of flag football in the Philippines.
