Tuloy Foundation's "Santa Football" Is Coming To Town!

Santa Claus represents generosity, joy, and the power to bring hope, but for the children of the Tuloy Foundation, their own version of Santa is Fr. Mariciano "Rocky" Evangelista, SDB-fondly called "Santa Football."

- By Michelle Attwood

Through his unwavering commitment to the Tuloy Foundation, Fr. Rocky has embodied the spirit of selflessness and transformation, using football and futsal as tools to uplift the lives of poor, disadvantaged street children in the Philippines. Like the timeless holiday figure, he dedicates his life not only to spreading joy during Christmas but to providing life-changing opportunities all year round, earning him the beloved nickname "Santa Football".

In 2017, Fr. Rocky's unwavering commitment was globally recognized when he received the International Humanitarian Award at the Miss World pageant from Miss World CEO Julia Morley, who praised him as "the greatest living humanitarian on this earth." This prestigious honor solidifies his legacy as a beacon of hope and transformation for marginalized youth.

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a proud advocate from Fr. Rocky's home province, serves as Tuloy FC's honorary chairwoman, championing his vision for football development in the Philippines.

Fr. Rocky's decade-long vision has borne remarkable fruit, as Tuloy FC's women's futsal team recently celebrated their fourth consecutive championship title in the High 5 Women's Futsal League with an emphatic 8-1 victory in the final match. This triumph is not just a testament to their dominance but a milestone in Fr. Rocky's master plan to prepare these young women for international competition-setting their sights on the 2025 Women's Futsal World Cup.

Among the program's brightest stars are four players who recently represented the Philippines in the ASEAN Women's Futsal Championship: Isabella Bandoja, Lanie Ortillo, Louraine Evangelista, and Mykaella Abeto. Each embodies Fr. Rocky's dream of a brighter future for the youth.