Kaya FC–Makati signs Marwin Angeles and Ref Cuaresma
Kaya FC–Makati is delighted to announce that we have signed two new Filipino players—Marwin Angeles and Ref Cuaresma. We are committed to strengthening our squad as we begin our first-ever national league campaign and move forward in our journey. We hope our supporters and fans will give a warm welcome to the newest members of the Kaya family.
Marwin Angeles, born in Venice, Italy, to Filipino parents, started his youth career at Venezia. He later moved to the Philippines and made his UFL debut with Laos FC in August 2011 but eventually joined Global FC in 2012. In 2014, he played for Ceres-La Salle and was part of their Singapore Cup and AFC Cup campaigns. Furthermore, he has been called up to play for the Philippine national football team (Azkals) since 2012 and has participated in several tournaments, such as the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, 2012 Philippine Peace Cup, 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, and 2013 Philippine Peace Cup. He scored his first international goal in a friendly against Singapore on November 15, 2012. Prior to his senior career, he represented the Philippines at the U21, U22, and U23 levels in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy.
Ref Cuaresma has already cemented his name in Philippine football as a bona fide Filipino goalkeeper from Dumaguete, the City of Gentle People. The proud Dumagueteño has played for several teams in his career—Philippine Navy (2001–2008), Smart San Beda (2010–2011), Loyola Meralco Sparks (2011–2014), Manila Jeepney (2014), and Stallion (2014–2016). At 17 years old, he was already called up to play for the Philippine national football team—making him the youngest goalkeeper to join the national team—in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2001. He was also notably part of the 2012 Philippine Peace Cup and the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup and still continues to be involved with the national team’s endeavors.
We sat down with our newest players and asked them what they think of the club and how they feel about being part of the Kaya family.
Marwin: About Kaya, I can say that they’ve been a tough team to play against since way back, and from what I’ve seen, they’ve also been one of the most organized teams in the country, especially in the last few years, not just in terms of the first team but also the youth team and Kaya FC Academy in general, which means excellent management work from the people behind the scenes. One of the things I like most about the club is that they treat everyone equally—same level of respect—from the players to the one who helps with the equipment. There are no superstars; everyone is treated equally. It feels great to be part of the Kaya family. The atmosphere at the club seems great, and from what I’ve seen, they get along with each other with respect, and that’s what makes a strong group, so I hope to get along with my teammates and management too.
Ref: Kaya FC is a very professional football team. I have yet to experience what Kaya is all about, but I think it’s not only the Kaya first team that has been successful. It is also reflected in the academy and the club’s care for the community through football … now that I’m part of a successful and very professional club, I’ve felt very welcome and excited at the same time. I can’t wait to win championships with Kaya!
It is an honor for Kaya to be perceived that way. We look forward to seeing them in action, making a difference, and we hope, together, we can achieve great things on and off the pitch. We are thrilled to have them on the team, and we know that they will make great contributions to the club.
Marwin: I think I can contribute my experience since I’ve played some international games, and tactically and technically, hopefully, I can bring something more on the field for the team.
Ref: I think I can contribute not only as a veteran goalkeeper with my professionalism, hard work, dedication, leadership, and titles. As a “B”-licensed coach and a level 1 and FIFA-certified goalkeeper coach, I can offer Kaya FC Academy good-quality coaching alongside my coaching mentor in goalkeeping, Noel Marcaida.
And now that they’re on the next chapter of their football career with Kaya, it is only fitting to discuss what they are looking forward to.
Marwin: Well, definitely, as a Kaya player, I want to win the league and the cup. I want to improve more as a player and as a person, which I think and hope I will do, especially in this new environment.
Ref: The things I look forward to as a Kaya FC player are, individually, seeing new challenges and growing and contributing to an already-successful club. As a team player, to have good wins alongside all-hardworking Kaya players. And most of all, to make Ultras Kaya proud and loud!
