For young athletes in Mindanao, every football tournament means more than just a game—it’s a chance to rise above their everyday realities and build discipline, purpose, and an opportunity.
Through the partnership between Adamson University, Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI), and Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. Foundation, Inc. (AOF Foundation), young athletes Prince Carl Baculot, Lee Christian Hayahay, Jhann Kurt Escarilla, and Hassan Nor Sarip were given the opportunity to pursue higher education due to their passion and excellence in football.
Football has long been a passion for them. Baculot started playing at the age of 9, Hayahay, who comes from TADECO, began his training as early as 8 years old. Escarilla started playing at 10 through an invite from a classmate. Sarip was in first grade when first invited to a training by her aunt’s friend.
Now aged 19 to 21, all four now share the same passion and commitment towards the sport. They have grown not only as teammates on the field but also as classmates in the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences program of Adamson University, building both their athletic and academic futures alongside each other. For them, football isn’t just a game, it’s a lifelong commitment that has shaped who they are today.
Like many great success stories, the journey of these three varsity scholars wasn’t without hurdles. Each of them faced their own set of struggles—most of them rooted in financial hardship—that once stood in the way of their dreams.
Baculot was once denied admission to UP Mindanao. Hayahay had to halt his college education due to financial constraints. Escarilla and Sarip, after multiple failed tryouts, nearly gave up on the dream of playing the sport to a much bigger field.
It was their unwavering passion for football—and a relentless desire to rise above their circumstances—that kept them going. That same passion eventually earned them a coveted scholarship, unlocking doors to education, growth, and gave them hope for a future once thought out of reach.
Student-Athletes Thriving Amid City Life and Studies
Starting something new is often scary—especially when you’re faced with things that feel unfamiliar. For the scholar-athletes, the challenge is even greater. They have to juggle schoolwork, adjust to being far from home, and get used to the fast-paced life in the city—all while staying focused on their sport which made them pursue education.
“Lisod pa jud i-adapt kay naga adjust pami. Kay lahi sa city, lahi pud sa province. Pero habang nagkadugay, na develop raman pud namo (It’s still difficult to adapt because we’re still adjusting. Life in the city is different from our lives in the province. But as time went on, we were able to adjust),” said Hayahay.
Despite being far from home and living as student-athletes in Metro Manila, they found themselves relying on each other.
Fortunately, they were able to find a new sense of family within their team. They shared how their teammates—especially the team captain and the senior players–have been incredibly supportive, helping them adjust and feel welcomed.
Even as they face the daily challenges of living away from their families and settling into a city they never imagined calling home, their seniors continue to cheer them on, guiding them through tough times, and encouraging them to keep growing and improving both on and off the field.
Early Successes as Student Athletes
After joining the team, they shared how their first wins during their debut season in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) became a turning point in their journey—starting with a breakthrough victory against the University of Santo Tomas (UST). It was a milestone they saw not just as a win, but as a valuable opportunity for growth.
That triumph against UST gave them the push they needed. It led to more victories against the University of the East (UE) and De La Salle University (DLSU), proving how far they have come and how much they have grown as players—both in skill and in confidence.
Hayahay recalled how happy he was after scoring a goal in their victory against powerhouse universities, “Happy pud kay naka score. Gi dungog jud sa Ginoo akoang pag-ampo. Daghan kaayong nag congrats tapos daghan pud na proud, papa og mama nako og mga tita (I’m happy because I was able to score. The Lord really heard my prayer. There were a lot who congratulated and were so proud of me – my parents and my relatives),” he added.
Today, their lives reflect what’s possible when raw talent and hard work are matched with the right opportunities. With tuition fees and other school expenses now being lifted from their parents’ shoulders, they can now focus fully on training, growing as athletes, and building their futures without worries.
“Thankful sad ko kay gitagaan mig opportunity sa Adamson, especially sa Damosa Land, sa AOF foundation. Naka help jud mi sa among parents sa bayrunon sa amoang pag skwela. Dapat i-improve lang jud namo among sarili and mas maging eager pa mi na makahuman og skwela (I am grateful because we were given the opportunity at Adamson, especially with the help of Damosa Land and AOF Foundation. We were able to help our parents with our school fees. We just have to improve ourselves and be more eager to finish our studies.),” Escarilla said.
Their scholarship didn’t just fund their education—it gave them a chance to dream bigger. It opened doors they never thought possible, for themselves, their families, and even their community.
Dreams and Plans Shaped by Life as Student-Athletes
According to Sarip, while he and one other from their hometown have managed to pursue education in Metro Manila through their passion for football, unfortunately, their early success has not sparked greater interest in the sport back home. Instead of inspiring local youth, football continues to struggle for attention and support—and has never truly gained strong traction among the younger generation.
He shared that the challenges of pursuing football in their hometown remain unchanged. In fact, he believes these very obstacles are what caused many from the earlier generation—including those he once played with—to eventually lose interest in the sport altogether.
Looking ahead, still, they hope to one day return to their hometowns and to coach young players, guiding the next generation of young footballers. Finishing college and repaying the sacrifices of their parents are goals they all hold close to heart.
Though each of them has a different path ahead, they share one dream: to win a championship for Adamson University and eventually become professional football players.
All four expressed heartfelt gratitude to DLI, AOF Foundation, and Adamson University for believing in the potential of young athletes like them. To the next generation, they offer a message: keep training, stay disciplined, listen to your mentors, and never stop chasing your goals.
In its second year, this partnership with Damosa Land, Inc. and Adamson University is stronger than ever. The focus has expanded to include senior high school students, aiming to provide them with greater exposure and more opportunities both academically and in sports.
With this commitment, the program continues to open doors for young athletes, helping them build a brighter future on and off the field.
According to Ricardo F. Lagdameo, President of DLI, empowering the youth has always been one of the company’s advocacies.
“We believe that with the right support and opportunities, young people can achieve incredible things not just for themselves, but for their families and communities. Through this program, we hope to inspire a new generation of student-athletes to dream big, work hard, and become leaders in whatever path they choose,” he added.
This is more than just a scholarship—it’s a stepping stone toward a future shaped by passion and purpose, and driven by talent and skill.
With every kick and every goal, these young athletes aren’t just chasing their dreams—they’re becoming them.
