Spanish Football Player Bienvenido Marañón Flaunts New Philippine Passport

MANILA, Philippines — After he was granted Filipino citizenship in July and taking his Oath of Allegiance at the Philippine Embassy in Madrid weeks later, Spanish football player Bienvenido Marañón finally received his Philippine passport.

“Where dreams come true. Thanks to everyone involved in this process. I will work hard to make you proud to have me. Enjoy the present. Maraming Salamat,” tweeted Marañón Wednesday, Oct. 27 along with a photo of him holding his Philippine passport.

The 35-year-old standout football player currently plays right wing forward for the United City Football Club. Receiving a Philippine passport makes him eligible to join the Philippine national football team Azkals.

In a news release by the Philippine Embassy in Madrid in August, Marañón revealed his plans to contribute to the development of young football players by setting up a football academy.

On July 2, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act No. 11570 granting Marañón Filipino citizenship. It was announced to the public July 7.

Marañón hails from Cádiz, Spain.