Philippine Azkals: Rob Gier and the Good Ol' English Charm

Many Filipinos wondered why the Philippine national football team, fondly called the Azkals, had to have these good-looking, highly skillful men. Many question why these mixed-breed players should be there. Why the need? Improve the style of play? Definitely. Make the Philippine team win games? Surely. Raise consciousness of football in the country? Yes! But... make shrieking, swooning female fans? I'm not sure of that one, but it's strange but true.

In this world called football (soccer to some), there are the poster boys that would grace the conscious and the unconscious minds of football fans, whether they play the sport or not, support the national team or not or root for one club or not at all. These men have all the skills plus the looks that attract them. And the Filipino diaspora is lucky enough to produce offspring with traits that only heaven could buy to get it off. Traits that are inherent of the mixture of different genetic makeups of different races. Traits that culture, arts and science can only reminisce and reflect with.

Forget the Younghusbands for now. The Philippines is lucky to have Robert James Dazo Gier, nicknamed Rob.


Rob was born with an English father and a Filipina mother in the 6th of January, 1981, in Ascot, a town in the county of Berkshire in southern England. For those unfamiliar, Ascot is a town more famous for horse-racing. The Ascot Racecourse is home of the world's famous horse racing meets, dating back in the 1700s.

Ascot Racecourse

Not only that, consequently, the races attract famous people including the British Royal Family, and people in the higher social classes dress up in fancy hats made in Ascot. A number of fancy hats worn during the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton were made in this small town.

Fancy hats are a staple in Ascot during race days.

Shortly after, though, Rob was based in the famous city of Oxford, the city famous for its prestigious University of Oxford, the oldest in the English-speaking world.

The University of Oxford

Rob's senior football debut for Wimbledon (1999/2000)

 Rob plays a defender, usually as a center-back or a right-back. In his younger years, he played for numerous football teams across the South East and the East of England, including Wimbledon (now Milton Keynes Dons), Rushden and Diamonds, Cambridge United, Woking, Aldershot Town, Grays Athletic and his hometown team Ascot United.

Rob celebrating his first ever goal as a pro footballer.

  His most successful stints happened during his involvement with Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic, that won numerous awards during those seasons he played in, including a Conference Cup in the 2007/08 season for Aldershot Town. Because of his performance, he is well-revered by English media, including the BBC.

Aldershot Town FC as champions in the 2007/08 Football Conference South season

Rob in Grays Athletic kit. (2008/09)

  Now then, with all these credentials, why he came up with the Azkals so lately?

Rob was a Johnny-come-lately in the Philippine national team, having come only in mid-2009. He has an adequate experience with English football that has well impressed the Azkals' coaching staff. So why the buzz?

Rob Gier (center) on his debut for the Philippines during the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers (2009).

In his words, he told DZMM that back in his days as a young player, he always wanted to play for his mother's national team. He has long searched for ways to look for the people to connect so he could get in and try out for them. Finally it came to him in 2009 when he got the contact for the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). He submitted his credentials without a little intervention from a fellow. The PFF did not search for him; it was Rob who came to the PFF. A volunteer of sorts was him for the flag.

“When I found out about the Philippine national team, I sent them an e-mail, with my resume, if you will,” says 30-year old fullback Rob Gier, who was already an experienced pro in his early 20s. “Not to brag or anything, but I was playing at a good level in England, and would they be interested in having me? I actually wish I had found out when I was a spring chicken.” (link)

 
Rob did not expect his first experiences with the team to be bread-and-butter. Because of its reputation to be underdogs in the Asian football scene, and being a basketball-crazed nation, he realised a painful truth. There was no support; there were no fans cheering, no interest. They pay their fares all by themselves, spend all they have for food, and sleep in the unworthiest of places. More so, they were battered heavily by their opponents in high margins.

However, those experiences would soon pay off, with the men who started it all.

Rob (#2) during the 2010 Suzuki Cup against Vietnam.

 Rob was one of the starting XI during that match against Vietnam in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. There was no Pinoy fanfare, only screaming Vietnamese fans. And there, all he did was to stop any vicious attack from the men with red kits. And he did his all and won that game.

That started his new journey.

From being one of the nobodies of Philippine sport, Rob, along with his teammates, became hot property. Along with the handful of English-bred fellows in the team, he became more noticeable to Filipina fans, not only because of his almost Oxford-standard accent, but also for his peculiar facial structure that's a mix of a typical southern English lad and the Manileño maginoo of the 1950s Filipino cinema. It can be also attributed to his well-built body that has luckily graced the walls of a health store chain in Metro Manila.

Rob in his full shirtless glory for Health and Beyond.

Well, if the handful of Pinay fans only knew he is already married.

Rob on BC Mag Philippines featuring his wife Emma and baby Lily Grace

Rob married Emma, an English lady whom he met since their childhood days. After four years of marraige, Emma was soon found to be pregnant. At that moment, Rob had to call off his national team duty during the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in Myanmar to attend to his wife back in England as she was found to have a delicate pregnancy. As days went by, and as Rob had to constantly fly in and fly out, he had to keep in touch with his wife through Skype, checking if she is alright. And before the 2011 Long Teng Cup came along, Rob had to call of once more, as his wife was about to give birth that month. He stayed so he could fully attend to her as she labours.

Rob with baby Lily Grace. (18 Sep 2011)

 And that day came. Emma gave birth to a baby girl, whom they named Lily Grace. Such a happy father is he when she came into their lives. As of this day, he attends to his little girl whenever he is around in Oxford, learning the joys of fatherhood every step of the way.

As you can see, Rob is a family man. But maybe what can be more attributed to Rob's attractiveness is his seemingly well-mannered demeanour that is characteristic of both well-bred Englishmen and the typical Filipino maginoo. He seems very open to his fans and is friendly among his peers. He has also that seemingly apparent "gift of gab" that has made him the figure you see making the team speech before every game he's in. He also has the wits in helping out his fellow players and finding new ones. No wonder he was made one of the Azkals' scouts and the coordinator for European-based players.

And with that, in recent days, a fan club was formed. Aptly called the GIERfriends, they cheer for Rob and is solid for Rob. They come to Azkals games whenever Rob plays, and are there cheering for him with all the placards and whatnots. Now that Rob has signed with Filipino side Global F.C. in the United Football League, these fans will also cheer for him when he shall play for the club sometime.

Rob with the GIERfriends.

Why the charm, you ask? Rob, although reaching his prime age, is a true example for those who desire to help the country improve the level of play and promote the sport to every Filipino. And he's proud that he is attached to our country and wants to learn a lot from us. With his good experience with English football, an attractive appearance, and a Pinoy heart, no wonder our team's got the charm. The good ol' English charm, with a Pinoy flavour.

KENNETH