Taguig city: More than 300 children from across Taguig City's public and private schools and local clubs participated in the inaugural Arca South Invitational Football Cup, which concluded in Western Bicutan, Taguig City on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the two-day event featured five age categories: U6 with teams from Bar§a Academy MNL, Forza FC, and Phoenix FC Academy; U8 with Bar§a Academy MNL-BLAU, Bar§a Academy MNL-GRANA, Eres Embo FC, and Forza FC; U10 with Bar§a Academy MNL-BLAU, Bar§a Academy MNL-GRANA, Stars United, Eres Embo FC, and Forza FC; U12 with the same teams as the U10 category; and U14 with Bar§a Academy MNL, Forza FC, West Bicutan High School, Stars United, and Gat Andres Bonifacio HS.
With the FIFA-certified Arca South Pitch serving as home to the Bar§a Academy Manila, the official academy of FC Barcelona in the Philippines, young athletes benefit from training and mentorship from one of the world's iconic football clubs. This further cements Arca South Estate's role as a launchpad for grassroots sports.
Barca Academy Manila's technical director, Joel Llin s, who attended the opening ceremony, stated, "We want to share the methodology and values we have in Barcelona. We teach all levels." Other notable attendees were Mylene Mendoza, marketing and advertising head of Arca South Estates Ayala Land; lawyer Aldrin Sinues, head of the Taguig Youth Development Office; and Robbie De Vera, sports advocate and founder of event organizer XMPLR.
The tournament aims to become a recurring initiative in Taguig's sports program to promote community-building, inclusivity, and the city's growing football culture. Gilbert Ramos, senior project development head of Ayala Land Estates, emphasized, "Through the Arca South Invitational Football Cup, we are not only showcasing grassroots football talent but also creating a platform for convergence, sportsmanship, and long-term engagement within Taguig."
Arca South, a 74-hectare mixed-use estate developed by Ayala Land, is strategically located near Makati CBD and Bonifacio Global City, connecting it with Metro Manila's foremost master-planned estates.
