When the documentary “Journeyman Finds Home – The Simone Rota Story”
is unveiled at the Uptown Ultra Cinema in Taguig on February 24, the
event also marks the partnership of Football for a Better Life with
other sports development programs.
Football for a Better Life (FFABL), which aims to empower the youth
and uplift their lives through the sport of football, is the main
proponent of the documentary. Co-directed by Albert Almendralejo and
Maricel Cariaga, the docu chronicles the personal struggles of Azkals’
player Simone Rota — from how he was adopted by an Italian couple, to
how grew up and played football in Italy, and then returned to the
Philippines to join the national team and search for his biological
mother.
Since the “Journeyman” work-in-progress was shown last September 2017
at the Cine Europa Film Festival in Shangri-La Mall, the filmmakers
have added new footage and interviews. Says Albert Almendralejo, “We
have added the grassroots programs that led to the establishment of the
Youth Football League and included the Azkals game where Simone was
called back to the national team. There is also new information about
the lady whom Simone believed was his long-lost mother.”
The February 24 event also presents the two sports programs that
FFABL is supporting: Women Empowerment through Sports (WEtS), an
international youth project whose local organizer is the NGO Bridging
the Gaps, and Mindanao1 Futbol, a talent identification mission in
Mindanao led by national player-turned-coach Percy Guarin.
“Sport empowers women and develops values in children. This is the
advocacy of Football for a Better Life and serves as our humble
contribution to national development,” states FFABL founder and
president Mr. Almendralejo.
“Journeyman” is set to compete in the European Philippine
International Film Festival, which will be held from March 7 to 9 in
Florence, Italy “Journeyman” is also slated to be shown in the
17 regional football association areas where the Mindanao1 Futbol talent
identification search is being conducted. “We are happy to offer all
proceeds of the Simone Rota special film screenings to endeavors that
promote sports to women, kids and orphans, particularly to Women
Empowerment through Sports, Mindanao1 Futbol and Buklod Kalinga sa Kapwa
Foundation,” says Mr. Almendralejo.
In a statement, Bridging the Gaps (BTG) said that the support is a
boost to their goal of “developing, testing, and spreading new
educational methodologies for young women empowerment through sports…”
BTG has chosen Simone to be an ambassador of their cause.
For Coach Percy Guarin, the tie-up with FFABL complements his
program’s vision. “That is to touch lives through football and give kids
plenty of opportunities to play and express themselves and discover new
skills.” In particular, Coach Percy said that the “Journeyman” docu is
going to inspire the kids. “Seeing the movie of Simone will give
children hope that someday their dream will be a reality.”
“Journeyman Finds Home – The Simone Rota Story” is supported by the
Philippine Italian Association, Elan Vita Diagnostic Solutions and Puma.
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