SI Dennis Cagara ang pinakabagong manlalaro ng Philippine Azkals men’s football team. Lumaki siya sa Denmark at nakapaglaro sa Germany para sa mga koponang Hertha BSC at Dynamo Dresden. Kasalukuyan siyang naglalaro sa National League ng Denmark. Bukod sa pagiging isang mahusay na football player, si Dennis ay mapagpahalaga sa mga karapatang pantao. Sa katunayan siya ay isang ambassador ng Amnesty International. Sa isang ekslusibong panayam ni Bandera correspondent Eric Dimzon, inilahad ni Dennis ang kanyang nararamdaman sa paglaro niya sa bayan ng kanyang magulang.
How were you discovered by Filipino football officials?
Actually, the Philippine football officials contacted me way back in 2004. That was the time I played in Bundesliga in Germany. I got a letter from them. Later on, my father talked to the PFF officials when he was in the Philippines. Back then, I was a young player in the Danish league.
Unfortunately, I suffered a serious injury. After recovering from my injury, Paul Weiler contacted me again and asked whether I like to play for the Azkals. And I went to Frankfurt to talk to Mr. Dan Palami. I met and spoke with (Azkals) coach Weiss as well.
How Filipino are you?
I am half-Filipino. I grew up in Denmark. Unfortunately, I don’t speak Tagalog. But I am really interested to know the language. I’m organizing something here in Denmark so I can take private lessons in Tagalog. Now is the best time to learn the language. It will be an honor to learn Tagalog now that I am representing the Philippines.
What do you expect from the Azkals and what can the Azkals expect from you?
Everything is new to me. I hope that the team accepts me wholeheartedly.
For me, it is important that the team works as a unit. I expect the team to allow me to help it become bigger and better. And in time, I expect the Philippine team to become a force to reckon with in the Asian football scene.
Although I am only 26 years old, I bring in a lot of experience. I know that fans expect a lot from the team. I hope I don’t disappoint them.
What position do you play?
I play left defender. That’s the position I have been playing for so many, many years. I really feel it is my spot. The position is just behind Chieffy Caligdong. But I can also play central defender. But I prefer to play in the left back. And of course, to attack as often as possible and score goals.
Do you see the Philippines becoming a truly football nation?
Yea, football is booming in the Philippines. But it will take time for it to become a national sport the way it is in Denmark.
In the Philippines, basketball is still considered the national sport. But if things go as planned, football could be a very big sport. Mr. Dan Palami is doing a good job of bringing in good Filipino-European players to help the sport become popular.
Mr. Palami and the Azkals need support from investors, sponsors, the government and fans to make football really big. People must move in one direction to make football big.
A lot of the Azkals have done commercials and endorsements. Will you be interested to do some as well should offers come your way?
I think it could be very interesting to have all the doors open. If someone in the Philippines thinks I can be helpful in a commercial, why not? My family in the Philippines thinks I should give it a try. I’m a very open person. I’m actually a funny guy. I like to make people laugh. I treat people with respect. I want to make people happy and glad. I would love to do commercials if there are offers.
What do you want to tell the Azkals fans?
I just want to say that I am happy that a lot of fans are supporting the team. And I hope that they continue to support the team. We really have to support each other.
The Azkals have improved a lot in the past year to keep the fans happy. Hopefully, we can bring in more favorable results. I’m just looking forward to showing the fans what I can do for the team. I hope I get a warm welcome from the fans when I arrive in the Philippines. I promise to do my best for the country.
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