Filipinos residing in New Zealand are being called on by Rep. Mikee Romero (1Pacman Partylist) to rally behind the Philippine national women’s football squad that is aiming to reach greater heights in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Filipinas, the nickname of the upset-conscious team, face former world champion Norway today in Auckland to determine if they will enter the knockout stages.
“This is the best time to display our genuine love for our athletes who will be going against a giant of an enemy in Norway. Let’s support the Filipinas all the way,” Romero said.
“They already made history but they still our all-out support in order for them to march on.”
Romero expects nothing but a fiesta-like atmosphere — some sort of “Manila mania” in Auckland since majority of over 100,000 Filipinos are based in the metropolitan city.
“I heard that a large group of Filipino community in Auckland will watch and support the team in any way they can,” Romero added.
Though popularly known as a basketball godfather, Romero has learned to love “the beautiful game” after daughter, Milka, played for Ateneo in college a decade ago.
The Filipinas need to topple the Norwegians in order to advance.
But win or lose, the Filipinas, according Romero need to be honored by both houses — the Congress and the Senate — for their sheer accomplishment after cutting host New Zealand down to size, 1-0, last Tuesday.
“The enormity of their win against a World Cup host at that is something that we have to cherish because it was one of the best wins in our sporting history,” Romero added.
