The attention of some fateful, hardened local football enthusiasts were aroused when Philippine Azkals superstar James Younghusband sent a Twit conveying condolences for Celestina Beatrice Luna’s family and acquaintances, who passed away last May 26, 2020.
Luna, who hails from Baguio, is a member of the Philippine national women football team and looks like on her way to greater heights in a sport with rising popularity in the country.
Not too long after, many found out that similar expressions of condolences were expressed by the Philippine Azkals Team as well as other football clubs and personalities in the Philippines.
It is probably at this point that the common football fans felt the gravity of the mourning of the Philippine football community and why this young but promising footballer’s demise is a big deal for local football.
While secondary to her family’s loss of a daughter and sister, football loss of Luna may have finally hit home among football fans and enthusiasts in the locality as the “gone-too-soon” homegrown athlete had the potential to become one of the faces of local football.
It was such worthy to mention that Luna’s popularity and being well-known in the upper circles of football in the Philippines in death could best describe how much this young athlete had accomplished at a very young age, no matter how small they are compared to other bigger faces of the sport.
Luna will probably be best remembered for scoring a goal in her national team debut against Timor-Leste during the 2019 Asean Football Federation U15 Girls Championship. Even making her debut sweeter was that the Philippines turned in a 12-0 rout of Timor-Leste in that game.
That team finished the tournament fourth overall.
Local football group, Cordillera Binnadang Football Club (CBFC), were among those who gave tribute to the lady booter.
“May your memory be a blessing, Ate Bea. We treasure the moments you grew up with us at Cordilleran Binnadang FC (CBFC). Your first kicks in football during our elementary football clinics at Melvin Jones will forever be etched in the hearts of your CBFC coaches,” said part of their the post said.
It was in CBFC tournaments that Luna got the exposure in the sport during her elementary years where she exhibited her potential to become a star in this sport and probably one of those who will become its face for the Cordillera Region.
Luna is also the current team captain of the ladies’ football squad of the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS).
Also chiming in was Team Socceroo Football Club, a football club based in Manila while the The Pinay Futbol community was among those who first sounded the alarm.
Luna’s untimely death was said to have been caused by a coma due to due to arteriouvenous malformation. She was about two months short to turn 17 at the time of her death.
By: Armando M. Bolislis
Photo lifted from Celestina Beatrice Luna Facebook page
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