Meet OnlineFactory Orcas’ New Star: Lucas Perez

Just two weeks before the start of the 2024 season in the Philippines' Floorball League, OnlineFactory Orcas announced their latest acquisition: International floorball star Lucas Perez.

Lucas has competed in two World Cup Championships, a World Cup qualifier, and played a major role in securing the bronze medal in AOFC 2019, and a silver medal in SEA Games 2023. Coming from a Swedish Division 1 team, FBC Nyköping, he has now been signed to OnlineFactory Orcas in the Philippines.

We sat down with Lucas to learn more about him

I'm a 35 year's old Swenoy who has born in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila the 3rd of February. I'm in the Philippines for several reasons like herritage, floorball and culture As I mensioned I was born here in the Philippines but got abondoned when I was 8 days old, I was living the first year in my life at an orphanage in Manila. Then I got transferred to a forster care in Quezon City a lovely family that I still have contact with. Next move was the big move to Sweden in 1989 to my parents Björn and Agneta in the town named Vagnhärad in Sweden. I grew up like a Swedish kid even though my outside tells different. But the truth is that all I knew is from my live in Sweden and everything I want to learn is from my past in the Philippines. I never thought that floorball would take all the way back from where it all started, but I’m blessed that I’ve got the opportunity. Now when I’m back in the Philippines again I will try to find my roots and see where it will take me. Am I nervous? Yes both nervous and excited. But despite all that I’m so happy that I’m doing all this with my family on site it means everything.

You are now here in The Philippines to play for OnlineFactory Orcas. How did this whole thing happen?

To make a long story short. It started in 2019 when coach Peter contacted me and asked if I played floorball and if I was Filipino. I was on the edge of stop playing floorball and as it is for now I never want to quit playing. Since 2019 a small seed was plant about doing something for my birth country. Then the pandemic struck and we got some time to reflect. And all of a sudden we decide to give it a try, so now we are here.

How have you settled in to your new life here so far?

Life here is different in many different ways. First of all the heat, traffic, people, the tempo, my work. But to break it down, we like it here so far. The people here are so nice and polite which make our lives easier. We will see how it will be when we move to a new location/apartment, hopefully it will be better for us. But only future can tell. One of the things that’s really been a part of our new day to day life is that you can order almost everything to your home. That service is my best friend and my enemy as well.

You are supposed to stay in The Philippines until the end of March next year. Any chance you’ll extend your stay beyond that?

I mean you never know, but the plan is still on track. But despite all that I don’t think this is the last time we will spend some longer periods in the Philippines. There are a lot of ups with being here, weather for example and experience is another thing. And most important is still to have our Filipino heritage in our daily life. If we should stay we have to rethink about how to work and where to live but I mean you should never say never.