The Aboitiz Football Cup (AFC), Aboitiz's longest-running grassroots football league, officially launched its 24th season on August 22 at The Outlets at Pueblo Verde, marking a significant return to Cebu and an exciting nationwide expansion with legs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Hosted by the Aboitiz Foundation, this year's AFC will kick off with an opening ceremony in Cebu on September 14, 2024, in partnership with Aboitiz InfraCapital, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, and the Central Visayas Football Association (CVFA) with support from AboitizPower’s Thermal Group and AdventEnergy. The Cebu tournament will continue succeeding weekends, leading up to the closing ceremony in February 2025.
The AFC will see regional festivals in Tarlac, Batangas, and Davao, hosted by Aboitiz InfraCapital and its business units AIC Economic Estates and Apo Agua. Additionally, the top two teams from these regions will have the opportunity to participate in the special exhibition match in Cebu to cap off the season.
Important schedule:
Cebu: Football Clinic on September 6-8 at Naga City Sports Center. Kick-off of the Cebu tournament on September 14 at Dynamic Herb Sports Complex, with matches on succeeding weekends until the February 2025 closing ceremony.
Tarlac: October 5-6 and October 12-13 at Don Bosco Tarlac Football Field.
Davao: October 26-27 at Tiongko Football Field (formerly Agro Field).
Batangas: November 9, November 16, November 23, November 30, and December 7 at the Aboitiz Pitch, Lima Estate.
This season, the AFC proudly introduces the “Wasteless Campaign,” a sustainability campaign in collaboration with Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI). The collaboration integrates CCBPI’s “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!” initiative to promote environmental stewardship by encouraging the collection and recycling of clear PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles of any brand at select drop-off venues.
“Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! is our nationwide program designed to support communities’ waste management systems by establishing collection hubs for post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles of any brand. Through this partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation for the Aboitiz Football Cup, we continue to harness the power of teamwork toward our collective goal of fostering waste-free communities,” said Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada, VP for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs of CCBPI.
Closing the loop for recyclable packaging, the program aims to bring all collected clear PET plastic bottles to PETValue Philippines—the country’s pioneering bottle-to-bottle recycling facility, and a joint venture between CCBPI and Indorama Ventures.
Throughout the league, participating teams will commit to collecting a specified volume of post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles, to ensure that all collected materials are properly collected and recycled. To further inspire collaboration and community involvement, teams and participants are encouraged to share their waste management efforts on social media, highlighting their contributions to creating cleaner and greener communities.
“We are excited to bring the Aboitiz Football Cup back to Cebu and expand it across the country, allowing us to reach more young athletes and communities. This season’s integration of the Wasteless Campaign reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and collective action. By blending sportsmanship with environmental stewardship, we aim to inspire a new generation of Filipinos to take an active role in preserving our planet,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, President of the Aboitiz Foundation.
“After a four-year break, the Aboitiz Football Cup Season 24 returns to Central Visayas, reigniting the passion for the beautiful game and bringing the region together again,” said Engr. Rodney Orale, President of Central Visayas Football Association.
The 24th season of the AFC promises thrilling football action and will also serve as a powerful platform to raise awareness of environmental sustainability. The Aboitiz Football Cup continues to be a beacon of grassroots sports development, bringing communities together through these exciting games while making a positive impact on the environment.
For more information, please visit and follow our official social media channel; https://www.facebook.com/AboitizFootballCupOfficial
About Aboitiz Foundation
Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, is dedicated to shaping a brighter future by empowering communities and driving sustainable development. With over 35 years of nation-building impact, the foundation of the Philippines’ first tech glomerate is expanding its focus to significantly contribute through three key areas:
- Future Leaders: Ensuring Filipino learners of all ages have access to resources, facilities, and scholarships to thrive in a rapidly changing world
- Jobs: Empowering Filipinos with digital tools and skills training to thrive in the global digital economy, while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset
- Climate Action: Developing and implementing environmental programs that build climate-resilient communities, working towards a sustainable future through nature-based solutions
The Foundation works closely with strategic partners to ensure projects are scalable, impactful, and aligned with the Group’s expertise. Since its inception in 1988, it has evolved from offering one-time donations to developing flagship programs that help beneficiaries across the Philippines reach their full potential.
