Ice Hockey in Philippines?

[CanadaHockeyGuy]

Thank you to everyone who contributes to this Forum and provides such useful information.  

My personal circumstances — on the cusp of retirement after 30+ years in academia, widowed, financially solid, children more or less independent — lead me to contemplate leaving Canada and spending some time in various parts of the world to see firsthand “what’s out there.”  I’m still relatively young(ish), 55, and my health is strong.  

Generally speaking, my plan is to live for 3-6 months at a time in various countries and experience life as a resident rather than a tourist.  If one of these stops ends up speaking to my heart, great, I’ll consider relocating.  

Here’s the highly unusual catch:  I’ve spent most of my adult life coaching youth/young adult ice hockey here in Canada.  One of my children (he’s 24 now) even played professionally in North America, so the game is really in my blood.  Teaching/coaching ice hockey gives me real pleasure and I can’t imagine a satisfying retirement without the sport in my life.  

To each his own, right?

I’m aware that the Philippines has several indoor ice sheets where hockey is played. Do you think an experienced Canadian hockey coach would be welcomed as a volunteer instructor/ coach?  If yes, is there a “best location” where I should live to help make this possible?  

Yes, I realize that my question deals with a real niche sport in the country, but any assistance/advice/ observations would be sincerely appreciated.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Jollygoodfellow

[Dave Hounddriver]

There are lots of old timers who sit in the coffee shops talking about how their team back in Canada or the USA is doing but until you mentioned it I did not even know there were any ice hockey teams in the Philippines.  Seems there are in the Manila area

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines_men's_national_ice_hockey_team

[Old55]

Hi Coach, and welcome to the forum. 

What an exciting idea visiting different countries as a short time resident not a visitor. I'm sure you'll have an amazing adventure.

I was unaware there were ice rinks in Philippines. My best guess is there may be a chance a team would allow you to "help" coach. You would need to gain their trust and respect first and be willing to serve as an assistant coach. Students who's familys could afford ice hocky lessons and equipment would be well to do.

One warning. Being healthy youngish educated single man you will be a target. All joking aside there are a huge number of educated lovely good Filipinas who would be very interested in being Mrs. Coach! 

[Gary D]

The only ice rink I've seen is the centre piece in The Mall of Asia in Manila. Being a volunteer anything in the Philippines can be problematic. Just be careful. 

[Mark Berkowitz]

7 hours ago, CanadaHockeyGuy said:

I’m aware that the Philippines has several indoor ice sheets where hockey is played. Do you think an experienced Canadian hockey coach would be welcomed as a volunteer instructor/ coach? 

If you look at how well Basketball has caught on in the Philippines with having a Philippines Basketball Association (PBA), and the large fan base that watches NBA games (from the USA), then maybe you could be the one* to make ice hockey BIG in the Philippines.

There's even NBA Players who played in the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA).

* the expression that my Pinay wife always uses.

[Howard]

I know there is an ice rink at SM megamall because my wife and I skated there. I've skated and played hockey before and believe me the ice was rough and not exactly smooth enough for hockey(I'm sure they don't have a zamboni! Ha ha). I've honestly never heard of anyone here talk about hockey and have never seen hockey equipment in a store for sale. but don't feel bad, I've never heard about or seen equipment for Baseball or American football either. Basketball reigns supreme here!

[Mark Berkowitz]

[GeoffH]

I enjoy skating (a LOT slower than when I was younger) but I've only ever seen a temporary rink set up in Cagayan De Oro and I couldn't convince SWMBO to even have a try.  The ice was... not smooth and most of the skaters were beginners at best.

To be honest I'm surprised that a tropical country like the Philippines has an ice skating team... news to me!

I second the comment earlier about being careful about volunteering as that might be looked upon as 'a breach of tourist visa conditions' even if you're not being paid.

And yes Basketball is very much the sport of choice for the country (with boxing second and what ever is in third so far back it doesn't matter... Maybe Volleyball?  Billiards?  Tennis?  Cock Fighting probably by numbers but I'm not sure that's a 'sport').

Edited June 19, 2019 by GeoffH

[CanadaHockeyGuy]

7 hours ago, Gary D said:

The only ice rink I've seen is the centre piece in The Mall of Asia in Manila. Being a volunteer anything in the Philippines can be problematic. Just be careful. 

Gary,

Thanks for the head’s up about volunteering in Phil.  Could you —- or anyone else — elaborate?  In Canada, nearly all youth hockey is coached by volunteers, usually parents with a strong background in the game who pass on their knowledge to their own children and teammates.  Every now and again someone like me comes around who follows the typical route but then sticks around as a “non-parent coach” (makes you very much in demand) for many years.  

Anyway, I appreciate the many responses so far.  Please understand that I hardly expect Philippines to be some sort of hockey hotbed, but at the same time there is something highly appealing about working at the grassroots level to help develop the sport in a new setting.  Some men gamble, some build model trains, some build bird houses.  For me, teaching kids on the ice is simply fulfilling.

[Dave Hounddriver]

5 minutes ago, GeoffH said:

To be honest I'm surprised that a tropical country like the Philippines has an ice skating team... news to me!

Yes, it was news to me too.  But if anyone looked at the link I posted they would see that the professional men's hockey team only happened within the last year or so.  Thus we oldtimers couldn't be expected to know about it.