Fairplay Fridays 2025: Week 2

With Fairplay Fridays starting last week, we were happy to confirm six of our Payatas FC players earned College Varsity Futsal Scholarships. With three each to the University of Makati and Polytechnic University of the Philippines, they begin their next chapters with excellent opportunities ahead of them.

JL is already the top scorer for PUP in the ongoing University Futsal League (NCAA) with Russel also getting plenty of game time, while April and Carlo join in the High5 Futsal League for the men’s side. Camille competes already for UMAK in both the women’s High5 Futsal League and the WNMCAA, meanwhile, await the Uni games next month. Most of all, they get access to good education and at the end of their four year courses they will graduate with a degree.

For the second Fairplay Friday, then, we are happy to introduce you to: CARLO

Carlo was one of the very first players at Payatas FC. And one of our very first Fairplay Scholars. When we started Fairplay and Payatas FC, Carlo was just 5 years old. He was one of the youngest players, initially playing at the side of the court and helping to carry the equipment. But very soon he asked to join in the training sessions.

Playing was an escape. An escape from scavenging in the local garbage industry Payatas is known for, an escape from difficulties at home and in the community. With the support of his family and Fairplay, though, Carlo worked hard and took advantage of the opportunities.

Fast forward to 2025 and Carlo is now the first in his family to go to College. His high grades and consistent play offered him choices, and he picked the University of Makati. He coaches the U13 elite team in the 7s League at McKinley Hill.

Carlo’s future has changed because of the hard-work he and his family put in, because of Fairplay, and because of your support. And now Carlo continues to make sure others are cared for and that he is now the mentor for the next generation.

Watch the difference we can be part of below.

Such change is never easy. Over a decade of support went into Carlo’s story. Support that needed to be holistic, needed to be caring, and needed to tackle the root cause for the problem. That required all four pillars of our mentoring program:

• Physical and mental health
• Social and emotional support
• Academic tutoring
• Financial incentives

With coaches and mentors, Carlo had the guidance and support to try different things. And through that he began to have his own goals and dreams and vision for the future. For Carlo, that focused on coaching and on photography. And with improving grades and improving skills on and off the court, he had choices for his future. Not only is he making the most of these opportunities, he’s also already paying it forward in mentoring the next generation too.

Maybe we can’t change the world…

… but we can change someone’s world.

We’re so proud, Carlo!

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