Rugby festival this weekend at San Lazaro Leisure Park

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila 10s International Rugby Festival marks its 30th year with yet another fun-filled weekend of matches and off-pitch activities at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Organizing commitee chairperson Clair Barberis said a total of 24 teams, including a dozen local teams, will see action in the event that brings together rugby enthusiasts, particularly Filipinos who have learned to love the sport.

“We’re here for another weekend of high level rugby and fun events among foreign teams and from around the Philippines,” she said during a press launch at the Le Cafe Curieux in Makati.

Max Stewart, an Australian who had witnessed the growth of rugby in the Philippines the past 20 years, said the national team, known as the Volcanoes, will not see action but  some of its members will suit up for different clubs.

Local teams from Albay, Cebu, Pampanga, Olongapo will square off with those from Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, South Korea, Japan, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

It’s the second year that the San Lazaro Leisure Park, home to the Manila Jockey Club, is hosting the festival, and Barberis is hoping that it would be their home “for many more years to come.”

On hand yesterday was Ada Milby, a Filipina rugby player and secretary-general of the Philippine Rugby Football Union.