It has always been a dream for Ceres-Negros FC chairman Leo Rey V. Yanson, who also serves as Vallacar Transit, Inc. president, to have Bacolod City recognized on the football map of Asia. LRY, as he is known as by many, is passionate about the sport and has worked to make his dream a reality – not only for himself, but for Bacolod City and all Filipinos.
In 2011, Yanson bankrolled a team, comprised of football players from different colleges and universities in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, to compete in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Men’s U-23 Championship, where they won the title after defeating archrival Iloilo.
The following year, he gathered some of the best football coaches in the city and formed Ceres-La Salle FC.
Competing in competitions, including the PFF National Men’s Club Championship, the club was soon tagged as “giant killers.”
Ceres-La Salle FC took their first championship in the 2013-2014 season, earning them the right to represent the country in an international tournament for the first time. They competed in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup, where they finished third in their group, alongside clubs from Turkmenistan, Taiwan, and North Korea.
After winning the now-defunct United Football League (UFL) FA League Cup in 2014, the team earned another opportunity to compete on the international stage, qualifying for the 2015 AFC Cup qualifying play-off, where they lost to Maldivian club Maziya S&RC, 1-0.
After taking the 2015 UFL championship, they qualified for the 2016 AFC Cup group stage, where they topped their group, where they were matched against clubs from Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh. However, upon entering the Round of 16, they were eliminated after losing to Hong Kong’s South China Athletic Association, 1-0.
Eager to bring more exposure to Bacolod City across Asia, Yanson brought in more experienced players last year and established Ceres-Negros FC, which has since dominated the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. In the 2017 AFC Cup, they defeated both defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim FC of Malaysia and Home United FC of Singapore to be crowned ASEAN Zone champions.
They also won the inaugural Philippines Football League (PFL) championship and are currently back in the AFC Cup ASEAN Zone finals, where they face a rematch with Home United beginning in August.
Earlier this year, the club made another mark in Philippine football history, earning a berth in the 2018 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs. They defeated Shan United FC of Myanmar and the Brisbane Roar of Australia, before losing in the east region play-off round to Tianjin Quanjian of China.
In an effort to develop young footballers in Bacolod City, and across the country, Yanson created the Ceres Cup in 2014, a football festival that provides enthusiast the opportunity to foster and exhibit sportsmanship. The event also promotes development of the sport in an effort to increase participation.
Now in its fifth year, the Ceres Cup continues to break records, attracting 532 participants in its latest edition, up from the 306 it started with.
His efforts have also brought in around 10,000 parents and officials to the city, contributing to the local economy.
Such initiatives have drawn the attention of organizations such as the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and Tourism Board of the Philippines.
In 2016, the club earned a PSA awarded them of their achievement as PFL inaugural champions They were also recognized earlier this year by the organization for winning the 2017 PFL and being named AFC Cup ASEAN Zone champions.
Meanwhile, DOT recognized the club for its ability to host sporting events without any international support, showing their potential at providing a tourism venue.
Ceres-Negros FC also hosts numerous clinics in Bacolod City, where advanced football training concepts are shared among aspiring footballers.
Yanson, alongside his brother Ricky, were honored by the province, naming them among the most outstanding Negrenses.
However, for LRY, education is the key to a successful future, as exhibited through the number of students he has supported with scholarships. He also believes in the saying “health is wealth” and has organized medical and dental missions all over Bacolod City.
Apart from trying to market Bacolod City both domestically and abroad, Yanson has touched the lives of the common people. His initiatives have created jobs and generated revenue. They have also benefitted tricycle, trisikad, and jeepney operators with more passengers and allowed for small businesses to set up at the Panaad Stadium.
With all his efforts, he deserves to be an Ang Banwahanon award recipient./JSG, WDJ