Inspiring kids one match at a time.
The Philippine Women's National Football Team arrived in New Zealand for the FIFA Women's World Cup and it felt just like home.
The Filipinas were welcomed with this chant as they landed in Auckland, as shared by the Philippine Embassy.
Filipinos ensured their team felt the love with the chant, "Filipinas, malupit!"
They also had a meet-and-greet outside the airport.
There they met eight-year-old Seeyan, who gave them a handwritten letter of support, as shared by Filipinas reserve Maya Alcantara.
"We are rooting for you. You all make the Philippines and all the Filipinos around the world very proud," the letter read.
And as goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and midfielder Katrina Guillou said in an interview, inspiring the next generation is what it's all about.
"Maybe more boys and girls in the next generations to come will start to play," McDaniel told Australia's Optus Sport.
"
"Even if we're not in the Philippines right now, we can find kababayans everywhere. So we really appreciate your support and your love for following our journey," co-captain Hali Long told those who went to the meet-and-greet, as shared by SBS Filipino.
"This has been a really special, long special journey with these girls and with this team so watch this space."
The Filipinas will be making their FIFA Women's World Cup debut next week at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, when they take on Switzerland on July 21. They will move to the Wellington Regional Stadium on July 25 against host New Zealand, before heading to Eden Park in Auckland to face Norway on July 30 in Group A.