Dual Citizenship and 2 Nights in the Philippines
2025 June 15th
Flying out of LAX I flew 45 Hours round trip to spend just 60 hours in the Philippines.
Let's talk about me acquiring dual citizenship and how the moons aligned for me to tryout for the Philippines Men's National Ice Hockey Team. I have admired the Philippines Team from a far as they competed in the IIHF and South East Asian Games. I have been born and raised in the United States and only went back to my heritage country once when I was 5 years old. I played Roller Hockey my whole life and would become a pivotal part of its growth in Southern California as a player, coach, and business owner. I represented Team USA Inline Hockey for several years on the Masters and Veterans Division to compete in the MIHWA World Championships. But something was missing to top off my Hockey Career. I wanted to represent the Philippines and contribute where I could to help grow the sport in the Philippines. I felt I could show the hockey program what roller hockey skills could transfer onto the ice. That maybe, roller hockey could be a key to help grow the sport of hockey in the Philippines.
The first step was to acquire Dual Citizenship. I gathered all of the documents from my mother showing proof that my parents were citizens of the Philippines when I was born in the United States. Therefore, I was a Philippine Baby just happened to be born in Los Angeles, California. My parents went through full steps to become United States Citizens but did not take the Oath of US Citizenship until after my birth. It was official, I was eligible for Philippine Citizenship. I brought my documents to the Philippine Consulate on Wilshire Blvd in LA. I sat in traffic, paid for toll roads, navigated through parking structures and avoided homeless interference. I entered the elevator to the 5th Floor and found out I didn't have all the paperwork. So I left, but was successful a few days later with all the proper documents with the help of Selina and my Mom.
Lets fast forward to June 5th. My youngest daughter Colette confirms my Passport has arrived! That same day the Philippines announced the National Team Tryouts June 11th. It's less than a week away, how can that even be possible, what can I do. Well, just as the tag line says, Eddie Will Go. I booked a flight to depart June 9th. I landed 10:55am and would tryout for the Philippines Men's National Ice Hockey Team at 8:45pm.
I made the team but the 480 day residency was too much of a challenge I could not commit to. The next day I had lunch with Jim Apelar the President of the Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation. To read more on that meeting click here.
That rest of the day I had lunch with my Tita Bing and family to share the plans of my sports journey spreading to the Philippines. I would also do a little sight seeing and shopping in Manila at the SM Mall. I stayed at the beautiful Conrad Hotel that was attached to the Mall where the hockey rink, food court, and stores were located. Friday morning was my final morning in Manilla but I had the opportunity to skate one more time during a clinic thanks to Manny Billones the Captain of the Philippine Team. I would finish my Philippine trip with a good lunch then head to airport to return home to SoCal.
Was this just a quick trip or will something come out of this?
