Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Pato Gregorio is deeply thankful as two of the country’s largest business conglomerates - the MVP Sports Foundation, Inc., and Ayala Foundation, Inc. - formalized an agreement that opens more opportunities for Filipino athletes to get a strengthened support system.
A partnership that was envisioned years ago has now turned into a reality aimed to expand the assistance given to the Filipino athletes by enabling a larger stage, which will mold them to thrive in the global stage.
“This partnership is exactly what current efforts in the development of Philippine sports are called to do: sync, catalyze, and expand our mutual work—especially in sports infrastructure, sports tourism, and grassroots development. Let this partnership enable dreams, nurture hope, guide with opportunity, and enable champions,” said Chairman Gregorio.
Among the notable beneficiary of these groups’ programs were the Paris 2024 double gold medalist Carlos Yulo and Asia’s best pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena who have been both supported by the MVP and Ayala Group, respectively, even before reaching the pinnacle of their international career.
Under the agreement, both parties will develop a comprehensive framework to support Filipino athletes, including the establishment of talent identification programs aimed at discovering world-class athletes for long-term development.
The partnership will hit the ground running on September 21 when top global pole vaulters converge at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City for a thrilling competition, inspired by the vision of top Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by key representatives from both organizations: AFI President Tony Lambino, AFI Senior Director for Development Programs Emil de Quiros, and MVPSF President Alfredo Panlilio.
For years, the Ayala Foundation and the MVPSF have been instrumental in advancing the welfare of Filipino athletes by providing world-class facilities and resources to help them reach their full potential.
“We will sit down and discuss further where we can align our objectives. The MVPSF has programs on grassroots, talent identification, youth level development and the elite program while the Ayala Foundation’s focus is on their Atletang Pinoy program. We support 22 sports disciplines as we speak. Ayala resources like real estate, health assets, and others can be combined to support our athletes,” Panlilio said.
The AFI's Atletang Ayala Program currently supports 19 national athletes, assisting them in their pursuit of dreams, including qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. Beyond their athletic goals, the program also provides these athletes with opportunities to develop their careers in various industries within the group's vast network.
“Sports is an extraordinary way of bringing pride to a nation. We have an excellent opportunity to be the bridge between their dreams and reality. Let’s work together and show them what’s possible,” AFI Chairman Jaime Zobel de Ayala said.
Meanwhile, the MVPSF has long been a pillar of Philippine sports, helping national teams maximize their opportunities to secure coveted medals on the international stage. Just last July, the foundation donated P2.2-million worth of high-quality gym equipment to the PSC satellite in Baguio City, providing athletes, particularly those in combat sports, with access to a state-of-the-art, fully equipped training facility.
“Sports is a metaphor for life. The kind of virtues and qualities you need in sports are the same ones you need in life: hard work, discipline, focus, resilience. We’re happy to be working with the Ayalas in making sports more accessible to Filipinos,” Pangilinan said.
Both parties have expressed their commitment to encouraging more business sectors and even government agencies to get involved, all with the shared goal of inspiring the nation . For Panlilio, “The presence of PSC Chair Pato is critical in making sure this is also a public-private partnership aligned in the elevation of Philippine sports.”
