@rapsantos 17 February 2021 more from that month

Filipino Naturalization for Bienvenido Marañon

For 6 years playing for ***United City FC*** (previously ***Ceres FC***), and the all-time top scorer in the AFC Cup last year when he scored his **35th Goal** against **Bali United FC**, the Spanish Striker is now on high hopes of becoming a Filipino Citizen. **Sen. Miguel Zubiri** sponsored a Senate bill proposing to grant its citizenship to Marañon, a possible asset, and once granted he'll be eligible to play for the Philippine Azkals. The lower chamber approved its 3rd and final reading **House Bill No. 8631 and 8632** last Tuesday granting his citizenship, including ***Angelo Kouame***, the Ivorian basketball icon representing the **Ateneo Blue Eagles**. https://congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/first_18/CR00736.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLjnQI9pPO8 Bienve received lots of love from us Filipinos when he stayed in the country. In return, and once the bill is signed by the Senate and from the Office of the President, he will help our national team to reach other prestigious tournaments. From the **AFC Asian Cup**, the **AFF Suzuki Cup**, and the **FIFA World Cup**. Born in **El Puerto de Santa Maria**, **Province of Cadiz**, **Andalusia**. He played football in the streets since his parents cannot send him to a football academy. He made his senior debut with **C.D. Rayo Sanluqueño** in **2005**. 2 years later, he played for **Cadiz CF** as part of the reserves in the **Tercera Division**. His first professional game was on **December 2, 2007**, coming on as a late substitute winning 3 goals to 1 against **Racing de Ferrol** in the **Segunda Division**. On **April 7, 2010**, Bienve was released by Cadiz due to indiscipline. 14 days later, he joined **Villarrubia FC** and scored 21 goals in his career. In **2011**, he moved to **CD Mostoles** then eventually returned to Villarubia. But he resumed his football career in the fourth tier with **La Hoya Lorca CF** and **UD Socuellamos**. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A1diz_CF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villarrubia_CF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD_M%C3%B3stoles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Hoya_Lorca_CF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UD_Socu%C3%A9llamos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctjL91tZ1so Until he decided to take the leap of faith and was encouraged by his fellow teammate, ***Carli de Murga*** who now plays for **Terengganu FC** to play for our local football league, then signed with **Ceres FC**. Bienve was about to retire in professional football last **2016** because his father died, but he continued to play the sport he'd love from the streets of El Puerto, as he was encouraged by ***Risto Vidakovic***, former gaffer of Ceres FC until his career reached greater heights as the top goal-scorer of the **AFC Cup**. Bienve was retained by the new management of Ceres when ***Leo Rey Yanson***, owner and chairman of Ceres FC due to the pandemic affecting their bus operations he sold the club to marketing firm MMC Sportz Asia, hence changing their name to ***United City FC***. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carli_de_Murga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terengganu_FC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risto_Vidakovi%C4%87 Bienvenido Marañon showed exceptional skills & talent, both from our local & international scene. As I've said earlier, once they grant his Filipino citizenship, he'll be eligible to play and becoming a valuable asset for the national team. **Sources**: Lead Image from https://www.spin.ph/football/bienve-maranon-wants-to-make-filipinos-proud-as-naturalization-process-moves-a795-20210211?ref=home_feed_1 https://sports.inquirer.net/415629/house-oks-angelo-kouame-bienvenido-maranon-naturalization https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1885224/Bacolod/Sports/Maraon-happy-on-becoming-Filipino-citizen