The Philippine Specials Invitational Golf Cup

Is a golf tournament that will be held on October 17, 2013 at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo for the benefit of the Philippine Specials Football team.

A Very Special Futbol Cup

The Henry V. Moran Foundation, through the leadership of its Chairman, Daniel M. Moran, and its Head of Futbol Program, Eduardo M. Formoso, will host a sporting event entitled “A Very Special Futbol Cup” at the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Streetchildren Village in Alabang, Muntinlupa from 3:00 in the afternoon to 6:00 in the evening on Saturday, January 26, 2013.

The participants and organizers of the Moran fund-raiser aim to garner at least 3 million Pesos in private and corporate sponsorships that will help send deserving and inspiring handicapped footballers to the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games in Newcastle, Australia in 2013. At this international competition, the organizers hope that the participants qualify for the 2015 Special Olympics to be held in Los Angeles, USA.

The Moran Foundation rises to the challenge of fielding delegates to the prestigious international sporting competition upon the invitation from the Special Olympics Philippines board, which is represented by its Chairman Alex P. Babst and National Executive Director Kaye Chastine B. Samson.

The local athletic event in Alabang will proudly showcase the football skills of two teams that, in spite of having developmental and learning disabilities, exhibit an admirable overflow of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

What overtly unifies the two teams is that the players in their early twenties, nicknamed the Philippine Specials, show the joy of play, display warm regard and a supportive attitude towards each other, and exhibit an energetic and genial performance in the football pitch.

In attendance of the heartwarming and newsworthy event will be choice members of the sports and lifestyle press and other media vendors, the private godfathers and godmothers who have sponsored the wards of the Moran Foundation, the representatives of key corporate benefactors, the senior booters of the Blue Guards, some of whom are Ateneo alumni, and even the older alumni members of the Philippine national team. One of the highlights of the charity will be the six thrilling 15-minute demonstration games between the godparents, Blue Guards, and senior national team members. The fun finale will be the friendship match between the older national team alumni and the special footballers.

It is interesting to note that at the charitable and beneficial event, individual ninongs and ninangs of the wards will be give tokens of appreciation, and the corporate sponsors will be recognized with ample media mileage for their expansive and sincere efforts to support the Moran Foundation and the cause of the differently-abled.

Established in 2009 to help improve the lives of the poor through community service, training, and vocational programs, the Henry V. Moran Foundation is a non-stock, nonprofit organization that takes up the cudgels for the plight of children with developmental and learning disabilities who exhibit an aptitude and passion for the sport of football.

Futbol Cup Raises Funds for Moran Foundation Projects
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Marlon’s Story

Marlon is mentally-challenged. He lives in Elsie Gaches Village, a center for about 700 mentally challenged persons. The Henry V. Moran Foundation has a football program for the boys and girls at Elsie Gaches and Marlon is one of the more skillful players in this program. Marlon will surely be one of the leaders in the Philippine “Specials” project.