If you were anywhere near the campus this past weekend, you felt it. A different kind of energy was buzzing in the air—not the usual weekend quiet, but something electric. It was the sound of a referee’s whistle, the thud of a ball meeting a cleat, and the familiar shouts of teammates. For many, it was a sound that simply said, “welcome home.”
This past Saturday, July 26th, as part of EVSU’s grand Charter Celebration, the university kicked off the 2025 President’s Cup Alumni Football Tournament. And let me tell you, this isn’t just another game. This is a homecoming, a reunion, and a month-long celebration of the bonds forged right here on this very pitch that has already begun in spectacular fashion.
So, What Makes This Tournament “Grand”?
We caught up with Nelson F. Manadong, the passionate Head Coach of the EVSU Football Club, whose excitement was palpable. “This is the first football tournament that is ‘grand’,” he explained. And what does he mean by grand?
Honestly, it’s about giving this sport, and the people who love it, the time and space it deserves.
“Before, our tournaments would happen in just one day,” Coach Manadong shared. “It was fast, it was fun, but it was over before you knew it.” This year, in a fantastic collaboration with the Alumni Office and the Sports Development Office, they’ve stretched the celebration across the entire month of August.
Starting last July 26th, every Saturday and Sunday will be game day. Think of it as a month-long festival of football.
This isn’t just about winning a trophy. It’s about lacing up your boots next to someone you haven’t seen in five, maybe ten years, and falling right back into that easy rhythm of teamwork. It’s about showing the new generation of students what the EVSU spirit truly looks like, long after you’ve tossed your graduation cap.
It’s All About Camaraderie (And a Boodle Fight!)
Coach Manadong was very clear about the tournament’s purpose. “This is not a fund drive for the football team,” he emphasized. Even though our varsity team is the regional champion (a little proud brag there!), this event has a different goal. “This is just for them to visit,” he says. It’s an open invitation for every EVSU alumnus, especially the football athletes, to return, reconnect, and remember.
The whole thing is designed to foster sportsmanship and camaraderie. And what’s a Filipino gathering without a feast? The celebration will culminate in the last week of August with an awarding ceremony, immediately followed by something truly special: a boodle fight.
Picture it: a long table laden with food, no plates, no utensils, just banana leaves and hands. On one side, the alumni athletes—the legends who once ruled the field. On the other side, the EVSU administration. It’s the kind of shared experience that breaks down barriers and builds genuine community.
To make it all happen, there’s a small registration fee of ₱200 per player. This small amount goes directly into funding the medals, the trophies, and of course, that epic boodle fight. It’s a small price for a month of memories, don’t you think?
A Field of Dreams, Built on Gratitude
When you talk about the spirit of giving back, you don’t have to look much further than Engineer Jack Edsel B. Saavedra.
Coach Manadong mentioned the incredible generosity of EVSU’s alumni, and Engr. Saavedra is a shining example. A graduate of BS Civil Engineering, Class of 2007, and the proprietor of Ztatik Marketing & Engineering Services, he has been a quiet force behind the scenes.
“When we compete in the regional and national SCUAA, he has contributed so much as a major sponsor,” Coach Manadong noted. But his latest contribution hits very close to home—literally. Engr. Saavedra has been instrumental in helping fix and improve the EVSU football field.
Why? The answer is simple and profound. “I decided to help rehabilitate the football field because I want my successors to have a field where they can practice,” he said, “and for the EVSU alumni to have a field where they can play football.”
It’s about paying it forward. But for Engr. Saavedra, it’s also personal. “One of the reasons why he returned to help EVSU is because of football,” he admitted. “Since we are not getting any younger, we need to go back to basics, to have exercise.” It’s a sentiment many of us can relate to. Life gets busy, work takes over, but our bodies and minds still crave that release, that feeling of being part of a team.
How Football Builds More Than Just Athletes
Here’s the thing about sports in a university setting. It’s never just about the game. Engr. Saavedra’s story is a powerful proof to that.
“Playing football became my motivation,” he recalled from his student days. “Every time my class ends, I look forward to playing football. I love the teamwork, the camaraderie.”
But it went deeper. The discipline of the sport seeped into his academic life. “I became a better student because of football,” he stated plainly. “You will not be able to be a varsity player if you have failing grades.” It’s a simple rule, but it teaches a life-long lesson about balance, responsibility, and earning your place, both on the field and in the classroom.
This is a message that should echo through the halls for current students. The discipline you learn chasing a ball is the same discipline you need to chase a degree.
His experience also gives him a unique perspective on a current debate in education. When asked about the motion to remove General Education subjects, especially PE, his response was firm. “I don’t agree with it,” he said. “Yes, we may be very intelligent but weaklings.”
He makes a compelling point. What good is a brilliant mind in a body that can’t keep up? He even shared a deeply personal story. “I am asthmatic,” he revealed. “I used to play football to help manage it and develop my lungs.” That’s not something you learn from a textbook. That’s a life lesson learned from pushing through, from gasping for air and finding you have more in you than you thought.
The Nitty-Gritty: How You Can Join the Fun
Feeling inspired? It’s not too late to get in on the action. The tournament is still open to alumni athletes who want to join. Here are the categories:
- Men’s Open (4 teams)
- 35 & Up (3 teams)
- Women’s (3 teams)
- Mixed Open (4 teams)
Just swing by the Sports Development Office or the Alumni Affairs Office to see how you can sign up and be part of this incredible event.
A quick note on the schedule: there won’t be any tournament games on the weekend of August 2nd and 3rd. Our (alumni) varsity players will be making us proud at a tournament in Palo for their fiesta celebration. However, the EVSU field won’t be empty. It will remain open on those days for any alumni who just want to come, have a kick-around, and enjoy the newly improved pitch.
And for our current students itching to get on the official team? Be ready. Coach Manadong says tryouts for the varsity squad will start sometime in August or September.
This tournament is more than a series of games. It’s a bridge between generations. It’s a celebration of where EVSU has been and a powerful statement about where it’s going—powered by the people who call it their alma mater. It’s proof that once you’re an EVSUnista, you are always part of the team.
The pitch is calling. It’s time to come home.
This feature article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 03: Good Health and Well-being
via KB Santos | UMDC
