Featured Athlete: Fidel Tacardon

Fidel Tacardon blows past the opposing goalkeeper during one of CSQC’s games against Southridge. (Photo by John Santisteban)

A two-time Rizal Football Association (RiFA) champion, a Philippine Azkals member for four years (two years as team captain of the U-16 squad), and a recipient of multiple Most Valuable Player awards, Fidel Victor P. Tacardon is a football star and an icon of Claret School of Quezon City.

Fidel started playing football when he was only a five-year-old prep student here in Claret. As he grew older, he kept getting better and eventually became a force to be reckoned with. What motivates him to play his hardest during every game is his love for winning and passion for the game. This led him to become one of the best football players of his age in the country.

Every game for this Azkal is a war he must battle, for the country and for Filipinos everywhere. He learned from all his travels abroad that Filipinos are the most courteous and kind-hearted people in the world. For him, there is no place like home and his love for our country fuels him to continue playing for the Philippine team with his heart and mind.

Despite his phenomenal performance on the field, he has also acquired success as a Claretian. Fidel is well-known in his batch as a diligent and hardworking student. He has proven it by consistently being in the honor roll. Being an honor student is something he takes pride in and is also something that he consistently wants to be. Because of this, Fidel developed good time management skills that helped him perform well in his studies, training, and social life.

Believe it or not, aside from football, he is also adept at playing basketball. Although he is a versatile student-athlete, his classmates can attest that he could be playful and silly at times especially during classes.

As graduation day draws closer, Fidel would like to leave some words of inspiration for the younger Claretians on how to relish their high school life: “Just enjoy and do what you love,” says Fidel. “At the same time. do what you’re supposed to do as a student and as a son. Your school life is more than just studies. Don’t pressure yourselves too much with academics because what you all would be doing is putting weight on yourselves. If you’re going through pain or stress, know that God is with you, performing miracles for you in ways you won’t comprehend. Lastly, value your family and friends. They are God’s gift and we must take care of them the way He takes care of us. To sum it all up, work hard despite all the difficulties in your way but enjoy in the process and realize that all will work out for you in the end. As the late Muhammad Ali once said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ ”

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