After a whole afternoon of playing on the football field, plus a brief press conference after dinner held at Benguet State University (BSU) in Baguio City, Azkals striker Phil Younghusband, without any fuss, agreed to have a one-on-one interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
The interview was held last February 23 at the lobby of the Baguio Country Club, where team Team Azkals was billeted.
The Team Azkals were in Baguio last February 20 to 26 as part of their training for their game on March 16 in Mongolia. The training in Baguio will help the team to play in a high altitude.
Before going to Mongolia, the team will detour to Japan on March 6 and 7 to prepare the players to play in harsh conditions.
ON FAME. The Filipino-British athlete thanked the fans for their support, especially for accepting the half-Filipinos who are part of the team.
"We never knew this would happen and we never knew it would be like this. I mean, the last five years, we have been trying to find ways of promoting football," said Phil.
The 23-year-old football player had his first step into the limelight here in the Philippines as a model. He also gained popularity when he joined the GMA-7 reality singing contest Celebrity Duets in 2008.
"There was a chance of modeling and endorsements and I was trapped in a management group that wasn't so much into my football skills... Right now, I am so much happier that I am credited for my true gift, my true love rather than just being goodlooking.
"My past management wants me to do a lot of stuff, like singing and a lot of things...that this goodlooking guy... But that was not me, that was out of my comfort zone. I hated it, really. I'm just so happy to be playing football," he admitted.
Phil stressed that he primarily would want to be identified as a football player more than anything else.
"Before, people would come up to me and say, 'You're a model?' 'No, no, I'm not a model. I'm a football player.'
"It's different now, 'Oh, you are an Azkal!' I'm proud that I am being recognized now for my talent that I'm good at, than something that is inherited," the striker said with much conviction.
How does he handle popularity?
"I'm speaking on behalf of the players, everyone enjoys attention," Phil said with a smile.
However, Phil added that he and the rest of the team know how to set their priorities.
