03/06/2026
DOUBLE GLORY
Tabuzo Leads Squad
Twenty-one-year-old John Ramil Tabuzo is a seasoned footballer with 14 years of experience, a Catanduanes State University (CatSU) SCUAA veteran, and the team captain who recently spearheaded Happy Friends Junior to a historic double podium finish at the Summer Sports Fest 2026. Standing as a central pillar of his local football community since the age of seven, his career is defined by a rapid ascent from grassroots tournaments to collegiate-level competitions.
His most recent milestone established him as one of the region's top young athletes, leading his squad to a dominant Championship in the Under-23 category alongside a 1st Runner-Up finish in the prestigious Open Category.
The Evolution of a Champion
The afternoon sun beats down on the pitch, but Tabuzo doesn't mind the heat. For more than a decade, the beautiful game has been the rhythm of his life. For 14 years, ever since he was a wide-eyed child chasing a loose ball - football has been his anchor, his greatest teacher, and his chosen family.
His journey, marked by steady growth and quiet grit, recently reached another summit. Suiting up for Happy Friends Junior, Tabuzo and his squad put on a masterclass of teamwork and tactical resilience to secure their gold and silver finishes. But for the veteran midfielder, the trophies and medals only tell half the story. The real victory lies in the transformation of the boy who first stepped onto the pitch.
Overcoming the Sidelines
Football has a unique way of stripping away insecurity. For a naturally shy kid, the field became a sanctuary where actions spoke louder than words. Through every precise pass, every lung-busting sprint, and every hard tackle, Tabuzo found his voice.
He learned early on that stepping onto the pitch requires a distinct kind of courage and not the absence of fear, but the sheer willingness to step over the touchline anyway.
"Sa alog ko dati na supugon, pirmi niyo lang itry ta may maka discover lang sainyo.", (To anyone like me who used to be shy, just keep trying because someone will discover you.)
The Power of Showing Up
The Summer Sports Fest 2026 was no walk in the park. Competing across two demanding categories required grueling physical effort and iron-clad mental toughness. Yet, it was Tabuzo’s grounded philosophy that kept the team steady through the high-stakes pressure of the finals.
"Maski madaog, basta ang importante nag show up kami, dai nag give up." (Even if we lose, what matters is that we showed up and we didn't give up.)
It’s this exact "show up" mentality that separates great athletes from the rest. Wins are sweet, but resilience in the face of exhaustion is what builds lasting character. For Happy Friends Junior, that relentless spirit paid off in both gold and silver.
More Than Just a Game
For Tabuzo and his teammates, local tournaments are woven deeply into the fabric of their daily lives. The pitch is where bonds are forged in sweat, and where a roster of players truly becomes a brotherhood.
"Alog kaining bagay o pakawat importante na samo, ta uya kami ga ilibahan buda ga kalampihan. Buda para samo salong achievements na ini." (Things like this tournament are important to us because this is where we come together and back each other up, all for these achievements.)
At 21, John Ramil Tabuzo is no longer just the shy kid hoping to get noticed from the sidelines. He is a champion, a proven SCUAA competitor, and a leader. His 14-year football journey stands as a testament to a simple truth: if you have the patience to stick with the sport, and the courage to keep showing up, the beautiful game will always give back.
Story by Lizalyn Manoguid
Pubmat by Pearl Francene Aldovino
