
Originally Posted by
Milo96
To the Azkals,
Take strength from the fact that where ever you go to fight for flag and country, we who have no choice but to be left behind send our most sincere love, support and prayers.
As the sailors of La Naval de Manila departed from Manila Bay in 1646 to fight the mighty Dutch Navy, they too left behind their loved ones only carrying with them their hopes and prayers. Off to war they went aboard 2 Galleons built for the purpose of commerce to meet 18 Dutch battleships from Batavia (now Jakarta) and Java, the best that military technology had to offer.
Yet in the face of the mighty enemy, they did not fear. They carried on believing in themselves, and believing that by the mighty grace of God, through the intercession of Mary Queen of Victory, they will be victorious. Indeed they were victorious.
Now you, sons of La Naval de Manila are also about to depart, also about to face a mightier enemy from Batavia and Java, and also faced with overwhelming odds.
Take courage! We shall be with you with every pass, every tackle, and every kick. We shall feel each bump, each bruise, each elbow and every foul. We will cheer for every save, every fake, every strike, and every goal. We will be there with you until the end, whether pain and agony, or thrill and glory.
And if God willing you should prevail in the end, pause for a while and listen. Perhaps, in the silence of the crowd, you just might hear our roar all the way from the Philippine Islands.