Want to go to watch the World Cup in South Africa?

Click on the poster for more details!

Interview with the man behind Soccer Fiesta -- Rely San Agustin, one of my best buds, fellow Atenean and former football player. Goalkeeper for the first Blue Booters UAAP champion team of 1996. We were also officemates at Solar Sports.

Rick: How long did you play football for Ateneo? Did you win championships on every level?

Rely San Agustin: I played 13 years for Ateneo. I started in Grade 4 all the way until College. I even played a fifth year in college just to defend the crown. I actually won championships in grade and high school, however, the most coveted title for me was the UAAP Men's Football crown in 1996 when we beat DLSU 2-1 in the Finals. It was the first collegiate football championship for Ateneo in 28 years. That was priceless!

Rick: What was it like to be the very first recipient of the Moro Lorenzo Award? Do you put that in a nice shelf at home? If so, what prominent awards are there?

Rely San Agustin: Very honored. Seeing the likes of Moro Lorenzo, Baby Dalupan, and Vic Sison in that room to hand out the award to me was a thrill. The award is displayed in my old room at my mom's place. Something I'm very proud to up to this day. That year -- 1996 00 was a very good year for me as an athlete. I also received the Best Goalkeeper Award for 1996 & 97. I also have a lot of medals including the bronze medal we won during the 1996 Asean University Games in Brunei.

Rick: Did you play club football? For what teams?

Rely San Agustin: I played for Loyola FC in the defunct MPFL (Manila Premier Football League) in 1997. I also played for Kaya FC and Agila FC in some first division tournaments. I was also a part of the national team in 1997. I'm still a part of Loyola FC up to this day.

Rick: Have you always been involved in sports? In a work capacity as well?

Rely San Agustin: Sports is my life especially football. I was able to feed on this passion when I worked for Nike Philippines from 1998-2005 and Solar Sports from 2006-2009. Both dream jobs for me.

Rick: You've gone solo now with your sports consultancy. Is it something you advise others in doing? DIY?

Rely San Agustin: Yup, I Put up "Real Sports Authority" just last months. It's a sports marketing consultancy and events management company. It fulfills my dream of actually having my own business and at the same time continuing something that I love. Of course, I encourage everyone to do their own thing. If it's something they are passionate about then the possibilities are endless. All of us can make things happen.

Rick: Tell us about the Soccer Fiesta.

Rely San Agustin: RSA is staging Soccer Fiesta 2010 to build awareness for the coming 2010 World Cup in South Africa and to get more people into the sport of football.

This will be at the SM Malls on April 10-11 (MAll of Asia), April 17-18 (Mega Mall), and May 1-2 at the Block of SM City North EDSA. It is open to all football enthusiasts as well as newcomers of all ages. There will be fun activities the whole day: interactive gaming, foosball competition, and skills challenges. There will be lots of prizes that will be given away including a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to watch the actual World Cup Finals! You get the opportunity to do that when you participate in the Castrol Skills Challenge (for 18 years old and above). To register and know more about the event, log on to www.soccerfiesta2010.multiply.com. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE!