# Jose Villareal (footballer, born 1900)

Jose Villareal (born José Villarreal y Santa Coloma; October 19, 1900 - November 14, 1973), known as Jose "Peping" Villareal or simply with his nickname "Peping" was a Filipino international footballer who played as a Forward, more specifically as a right out for Bohemian SC and the Philippine Island football team while representing the latter in the 1925 Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila.

## Sporting career

Jose, with Angel, was the latest of the Villareal brothers to join Bohemian Sporting Club and played alongside Alberto and Fernando forming a team that was completely strong in every side of the football pitch. Peping was reputed to be one of the best forwards and right outs of the Philippines as well as the fastest player in the country at a certain point. In the meantime his attacks were supported by Alberto and Fernando, as well considered one of the best half backs, while at the back he was shielded from the fullback Angeling.
Inevitably their abilities on the field led them to be called up to represent the Philippine Island football team in the 1925 Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila, in which the brothers were only able to capture a silver medal after winning against Japan and then losing the decisive game against China. The tournament was also Alberto's last and it was his farewell as a football player. The remaining brothers at Bohemian, however, continued to support Peping's attacks and were finally rewarded by lifting the National Title in 1927.

## Personal life

Jose was the fourth of seven children of Carlos Ramon Fernando Villarreal y Moras and Doña Carmen Santa Coloma y Navarro. His sisters were Ines Villarreal Y Santa Coloma, born in 1899 and Salud Villarreal y Santa Coloma born in 1901. He played alongside his brothers Alberto, Fernando and Angeling for Bohemian while Carlos, before his injury, lastly played for Club Filipino and was also a renowned amateur boxer.
He married Milagros Garcia y Ruiz with whom he had a family with and among their children were Alberto “Albert” Villareal y Garcia, Jose “Joey” Villareal y Garcia, Rafael “Raffy” Villareal y Garcia and Juan “Juancho” Villareal y Garcia. His four sons were all post-war football players and played for the Philippines National Football Team. Alberto was captain of the De La Salle University’s junior and senior varsity teams of the 1950s and after receiving his B.S. Chemical Engineering degree he became a professional player. He became a member of the YCO Athletic Club team that were able to win trophies during his tenure at the club and played for the National team at the 1954 Manila Edition, followed by his accomplishment of wearing the captain armband of the Filipino's Asian Games Team that defeated Japan in the 1958 Tokyo Edition. Jose “Joey” was also part of the 1958 team and was as well the captain the of the National Team of the 1962 Asian Games in Indonesia. He was also one of the PFF outstanding player awardees of the decade. Rafael “Raffy”, was a La Salle, Meralco and a National Player of the 1960s. Juan “Juancho” was a Meralco and National Youth Standout. He was as well uncle of Fernando “Tito” Villareal Jr., son of his brother Fernando, who was as well football player in that era. Jose, when active as a player and after, worked as a traveling sales man.

## Honors

Bohemian S.C.
* United States Philippines Championship: 1927
Philippine national football team
* Far Eastern Championship Games: (Silver medal) 1925