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| Ed Gastanes helped turn things around for Philippine football during the 2010s. Mike Romero (file photo) |
MANILA--As everyone does their noche buena preparations, the Philippine football community got some bad news right on Christmas Eve after the Philippine Football Federation confirmed the passing of former Secretary General Ed Gastanes.
Gastanes, who passed away just three days after turning 66, was one of the game-changers in the Philippine football scene, especially when he was tasked in 2013 by then PFF president Nonong Araneta to serve as the sec-gen.
Under Araneta and Gastanes' watch, the Philippine Men's National Football Team continued its steady rise in the Southeast Asian football scene, while they also played vital roles as well in the resurgence of the women's team into one of the top 40 national teams in the world highlighted by its debut appearance in the FIFA Women's World Cup last year.
Gastanes also helped in founding game changers to the club football scene like the PFL, PFF Women's League, and PFF U19 Boys National Championship.
"We are grateful for his efforts that made a lasting impact on Philippine football. His legacy will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who had the privilege of working alongside him," the PFF said in a statement.
"Rest in peace, Atty. Gastanes. Your contributions will never be forgotten."
In the latter years of his PFF sec-gen stint, Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino also tapped Gastanes to become the agency's secretary general.
Gastanes stepped down from both the PFF and POC secretary general posts last year upon the arrival of PFF's current leadership with John Gutierrez becoming the new president and Gelix Mercader taking over Gastanes' role as sec-gen.
Wharton Chan of kickboxing became the new POC sec-gen.
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