If there’s one thing Claret School of Quezon City prodigy Filmar Tacardon doesn’t lack, it’s confidence.
Coming from a family where football is practically in their DNA, the 17-year-old shares the field with his brother, Filbert.
Their bond goes beyond sibling camaraderie, as they follow in the footsteps of their older brothers—Fidel, Francis, and Florenz—who made their mark and won championships with University of the Philippines in the UAAP.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a healthy mix of competition and camaraderie between them. On the pitch, they push each other to be better, while at home, they share invaluable lessons.
“Siyempre, sa bahay tinuturuan nila ako,” said Filmar. “Actually, sa games, sa breaks, binibigyan ako ng tips dahil sila alam na nila tong experience na to. Tina-try ko gamitin para ma-continue ko yung Tacardon legacy. Nag-set sila ng standards for us. Sa games, di naman namin iniisip yun coming to the games. Iniisip ko lang is to give my best.
“Since nanood sila, alam nila yung dapat ko gawin kasi nakikita nila yung mga na-mi-miss out ko, and syempre pag may sinasabi sila, tinatatak ko sa utak ko,” he added.
“Di naman or wala naman pressure from my kuyas. Mas magaling ako kaysa sa kanila.”
Filmar, a Grade 11 midfielder, delivered Claret’s first goal in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ High School Football Tournament during last Saturday’s game.
His first-half equalizer, however, wasn’t enough as the Red Roosters fell 3-1 to the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
The loss marked Claret’s second consecutive defeat, following a tough 6-0 drubbing by Far Eastern University-Diliman on opening day.
With the novelty of playing in the UAAP fading and the urgency to secure their first win growing, Filmar remains optimistic.
He and his teammates are determined to bounce back despite their difficult start.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Grateful ako na kahit natalo kami, nakatulong pa rin ako sa team, pero ang main objective ko pa rin is syempre manalo,” he said. “From the first game, may good improvement. Siyempre, alam na namin yung dapat namin i-e-expect coming to the next games. Yung experience na nakuha namin, i-improve namin next game.
“For me, we just need to stay together as a team, lift each other, and work harder in training kasi 0-2 na kami. We need to have that will to win talaga. Going against UST this Wednesday, same for every game, same mentality: we just want to win. Individually or as a team, lahat makakatulong.”
Balancing his dual role as a student and athlete in the UAAP, Filmar is also navigating the demands of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) strand in senior high school.
Fortunately, just like in football, he has his older siblings to rely on for guidance.
“Hindi naman ako nahihirapan sa STEM strand kasi kinakaya ko naman i-balance, kasi andyan rin mga kuya ko na i-guide ako,” he said.
