With this post, I might be breaking a lot of girls' hearts, or even boys for that matter.Quite a few die-hard fans might probably hate me or even worse threaten to take my life... nah that may be a bit exaggerated. But what I will post is something that will surely disappoint a lot of Azkals fan. Those who are not from the Philippines might be wondering AZ-what? AZKALS is the Philippine national football team. They have recently revived the country's interest in the sport. The team is currently enormously popular, comparable to the local celebrities' popularity. Why? See this photo and notice that majority of the players look like they are not from the Philippines. But they are,or at least one of their parents. With surnames like Etheridge, Younghusband, Gier, Greatwich, Ott and Schrock, it doesn't take someone with a genius IQ rating to know that these goodlooking young men with such foreign -sounding surnames could probably speak at most 300 Filipino words.
They have been hailed as heroes. I have no objection to that. But somehow, one Azkal has definitely outgrown his hat. This Azkal arrived just in time for his flight. When I say just in time, I mean it is at that point wherein almost all passengers has been checked in. He arrives and while being processed, playfully asked the agent for an "azkal upgrade". The agent, although admittedly swooned, had the presence of mind to gracefully decline the request as the flight was not full and an upgrade to business class was not expected. Since this azkal was among the last to check-in, he was assisted to the terminal fee counter and to the immigration. This is something we do to all "almost late" passengers. Just to ensure that they will be able to be at the boarding gate in time for boarding and to make sure that despite them being late for check-in, the on time performance of the flight will not be affected. When advised to prepare 750 pesos for terminal fee payment, Mr. ASK - ALL asked teasingly for an "azkal discount". Of course this is not possible as the terminal fee is levied on all passengers, except for infants, OFW's and others. Mr. ASK-ALL has probably been previously exempted from paying this, on official trips wherein he would be part of the team representing the country in a football event.
The check-in agent who processed this ASK-ALL had followed him on twitter and later received a twit from Mr. ASK-ALL telling her that since she did not show up at the boarding gate to give him a business class boarding pass, he proceeded to seat at the business class section and is trying to see how long he can stay there until the cabin finds out. Of course he soon was asked to return to his economy class seat, and the check-in agent was asked to explain if she did promise an upgrade.
So who is this Azkal player who seem to be having a GREAT time riding on the team's popularity? I dare not say!
