Coca-Cola PH Strengthens Recycling Presence in Bacolod, 500 Stores to Join Tindahan Extra Mile

MANILA, Philippines, 08 March 2024 — Coca-Cola Philippines, in partnership with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), has launched the Tindahan Extra Mile (TEM): Balik PET Bottle Program in Bacolod City.

By engaging 500 sari-sari stores and carinderias as new collection partners, consumers in Bacolod City can take more action around recycling and help advance a circular economy for plastic packaging.

Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of partnering with industries, companies, social enterprises, and non-government institutions to deliver impactful and sustainable opportunities that can help uplift lives.

"The Tindahan Extra Mile Program is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By mobilizing our local entrepreneurs and fostering community engagement, we are taking significant strides towards a greener and more sustainable Bacolod,” he said.

"As we launch the Tindahan Extra Mile Program, we are not merely initiating a program; we are igniting a movement," Mayor Albee emphasized. "Together with BENRO, BEST, Coca-Cola Philippines, and our dedicated micro-retailers, we have the power to effect real change and preserve our environment for future generations,” he added.

How does TEM benefit micro-retailers?

Through Tindahan Extra Mile, participating micro-retailers will receive financial incentives by collecting PET plastic bottles. The program encourages the community to partake in a shared responsibility towards a cleaner Bacolod by providing convenient collection points in front of sari-sari stores and carinderias. Residents can easily drop off their empty bottles for recycling. Store owners will accrue environmental points proportional to the bottles they collect, redeemable for cash or products through the bXTRA app.

"Investing in the Tindahan Extra Mile program aligns perfectly with Coca-Cola Philippines' goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle we sell in the country. By empowering women micro-retailers, who make up a significant portion of sari-sari stores and carinderia owners in the Philippines, TEM creates a convenient and accessible network for consumers to recycle,” said Pablo Medina, Senior Director for Franchise Operations at Coca-Cola Philippines. “This program not only helps foster environmental responsibility but also provides opportunities for financial independence and growth for these female entrepreneurs, driving positive change within their communities.”

How can a micro-retailer become a TEM member?

Any sari-sari store and carinderia owner can become a member of the Tindahan Extra Mile in three easy steps.

Step 1: On the Tindahan Extra Mile Facebook page, sign up on the bXTRA website using your email address.
Step 2: Collect empty PET plastic bottles and bring them to the nearest TEM Trash to Cashback Collection Hub.
Step 3: Exchange your PET bottles for a TEM kit and card to start earning environmental points.


Watch here to learn more about Tindahan Extra Mile.

BEST Senior Vice President Jan Vincent Mercado urges micro-retailers to join TEM as
members. "In partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, our aim is to empower micro- entrepreneurs to become environmental stewards,” he said. “We acknowledge their significance and influence within communities, emphasizing their potential to encourage community members to segregate plastic waste and participate in recycling endeavors,” Mercado said.

Empowering micro-retailers for a World Without Waste

To enable more micro-retailers and inspire collective action towards plastic bottle recycling, Coca-Cola Philippines will bring the Tindahan Extra Mile Program to other areas such as Cebu and Cagayan de Oro in 2024.

Last year, Coca-Cola Philippines launched its consumer engagement program, “May Ikabobote Pa”, to educate, inspire, and engage more consumers to return their empty bottles and cans for recycling.
 
To advance the circularity of plastic packaging, the company also introduced new bottles made from 100% recycled PET plastic. This packaging innovation is now available in Coca-Cola Original 190ml, Wilkins Pure 500ml, and Sprite 500ml. These bottles can be recycled many times, significantly reducing the volume of virgin plastic created and used. 
 
Consumers can locate the nearest collection points and discover more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ recycling initiatives through the Coca-Cola Sustainability Hub. 

32nd SBP-Passerelle Kicks Off

The much-awaited annual interschool basketball twin tournament for kids, the SBP– Passerelle, is finally back for its 32nd season, kicking off at the Fr. Rafael Cortina Sports Center, Xavier School. This year, over 600 players from more than 150 schools nationwide will be competing for the coveted trophies of regional, as well as national, champions.

The twin tournament started with fiercer and stronger play-offs between top schools in the NCR, with elimination games in each division played simultaneously. Gracing the opening is Philippine basketball legend, actor and BEST Center graduate Benjie Paras, who showed support for his son, Riley who is now playing for the De La Salle Greenhills team and followed the footsteps of his older brothers Andre and Kobe who were both alumni of BEST Center clinic and also played in the SBP-Passerelle twin tournament during their time.

Former national coach and BEST Center Founder Nicanor Jorge said, “Every year, we see improvement in skills of the kids joining SBP-Passerelle. It’s heartening to see that the determination and passion for basketball in the country remains strong, and we are glad to provide a venue for aspiring players to hone their talents.”

Elimination games are being held simultaneously throughout Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. Defending their championship titles this year are La Salle Greenhills in the SBP Division and Adamson University in the Passerelle Division.

The SBP division is for players aged 9 to 11, while Passerelle division, conceived to act as a bridge between the SBP and the Juniors Division for players 18 and under, is for 12 to 14 year old.

Organized by the Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training (BEST) Center, the country’s premiere sports clinic, 32nd SBP-Passerelle is supported by MILO in cooperation with Rain or Shine Elasto Paints, Chris Sports and SKLZ. It provides a venue for young cagers to apply what they learned from basketball trainings and showcase their skills.

BEST Center is nationally renowned for its great contribution to sports development in the Philippines. Because of the clinic’s dedication to not only producing future champions but also promoting sports and physical fitness among kids, BEST Center is a recipient of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Hall of Fame Award for Grassroots Development and cited for being a consistent breeding ground for young talents.  It is the only corporate recipient of the Olympism Award from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/66172039922.

*This is Press Release

BEST Center Extends Summer Sports Clinic

Multi-awarded and pioneer BEST (Basketball Efficiency & Scientific Training) Center opens another set of summer sports clinic for aspiring basketball and volleyball players at the Ateneo College Covered Courts. The highly anticipated clinics for both sports will be held every Wednesdays and Saturdays from June 7 to 28, 2017, 8:00 am - 11:30 am. The basketball clinic is accepting enrollees for students in Preparatory Level and Levels 1-5 while the volleyball clinic is open to young athletes in levels 1 to 3. By hosting these sports clinics, BEST Center not only helps kids learn the basic sports skills. It also teaches them values such as discipline, camaraderie, teamwork and leadership in a fun and interactive way while they are taking a break from school. For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/66172039922.

Finding balance between passion and profession

Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag, Jr. is a multifaceted individual who, despite his busy profession, never turns down an opportunity to work with his passion. Aside from being a notable lawyer, following the footsteps of his father, prominent human rights lawyer Rene Saguisag Sr., he was also a former BEST Center coach and is currently the UAAP commissioner for two consecutive seasons, 78 and 79. On top of that, Atty. Rebo is also a strong advocate of sports development among the youth naming the Mindanao Peace Games as one of his involvements.  Recently, he even volunteered to manage his son’s little league baseball team.

How does he balance his passion and profession? “I don’t,” Saguisag wittingly answered. “I just married the perfect wife who fills all my shortcomings.” Law practice and basketball seem like two different worlds. Managing each would require his undivided attention as they are both time-consuming and emotionally draining. He explained, “I don’t see it as an obstacle but a challenge and opportunity to better myself so I never even considered choosing one over the other. In fact, if handled properly, they can even complement each other.”

Saguisag stated that his success as a lawyer, his pride in being a former BEST Center coach and now the UAAP commissioner, his commitment to being a good family man, and a better individual are all because of the lessons he learned while playing basketball when he was still young.

“All I really needed to learn, I learned inside the basketball court,” he shared.

Saguisag’s experience as a former coach for BEST (Basketball Efficiency & Scientific Training) Center, multi-awarded and pioneer in basketball clinics in the country, helped in his values formation. He noted how the organization has instilled in him discipline and a great sense of responsibility. The strict guidelines and high standards imposed and maintained in the clinics and the proper behavior required in the court, along with the values taught in team sports, has molded him to become who he is today.

He further explained, “Playing and coaching basketball aided me in knowing the technicalities and rules of the game which is vital in my position as a commissioner. Meanwhile, small details such as punctuality and grooming (like making sure my jerseys are tucked) helped in how I properly carry myself, even inside the courtroom.”

So far, the former BEST Center coach and now notable lawyer-cum-UAAP commissioner enjoys the best of both worlds and aims to implement his advocacies for the development of both fields. He also encourages everyone not to limit themselves to their own comfort zones but instead, be open to opportunities, accept challenges and turn these into achievements. Above all, never undermine the seemingly trivial lessons you learn along the way for it is through these experiences that make you who are, regardless of what you are.

For more information, call 411-6260 or 372-3066. You can also visit http://facebook.com/page/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/.

21st WVL semi-finals set on Feb 26

Top-ranked teams from across the National Capital Region will battle it out on the semi-finals of the 21st season of Women’s Volleyball League (WVL), one of the country’s biggest and longest running volleyball tournaments for girls. Organized by BEST (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training) Center and sponsored by Milo, the games will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Xavier School High School Gym.

Four teams will be competing in each division which consists of 17 and Under Developmental Division, 17 and Under Competitive Division, 13 and Under Developmental Division, and 13 and Under Competitive Division.

Colegio San Agustin will face Jubilee Christian Academy in the first set of 13 and Under Competitive Division while Escuela de Sophia Caloocan and Kings Montessori School will face in another set. Meanwhile, College of San Agustin will try to oust St. Paul’s College Makati while School of Holy Spirit will play against School of Saint Anthony in the 13 and Under Developmental Division.

On the other hand, Kings Montessori School will face Hope Christian High School in the first set of 17 and Under Competitive Division while La Salle College Antipolo will go against San Pedro Relocation Center National High School in another set. In the 17 and Under Developmental Division, Saint Pedro Proveda College will battle against Colegio de Sta. Rosa while St. Paul’s College Makati will compete against School of St. Anthony.

Winners for each set will be competing against each other for the 21st WVL championship title to be held at San Beda College Gym in Metro Manila on March 5, 2017.

BEST Center is nationally renowned for its great contribution to sports development in the Philippines. Because of the clinic’s dedication to not only producing future champions but also promoting sports and physical fitness among kids, BEST Center is cited by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) and the Olympism Award from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as hall of famer. Meanwhile, WVL has recently received a citation from the Philippine Sportswriter Association last Febrauary 13, 2017 during its PSA Awards Night "for being a consistent breeding ground of young talens in volleyball for the past 20 years”. By continuously organizing sports event such as WVL as well as SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament, an annual basketball competition for kids aged 9-14, BEST Center is confident that the sport in the country will continue to grow in both popularity and equality.

For more information about the BEST Center Women’s Volleyball League and BEST Center’s volleyball clinics and tournaments, call 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/66172039922.

‘Uy, Tay Tung HS bag SBP-Passerelle Visayas Championship title

The University of the Visayas (UV) and Bacolod Tay Tung High School advance to the nationals after winning the Visayas regional finals of BEST Center’s SBP– Passerelle, the largest twin tournament in the country.  Held at the Capiz Gym, eight teams – four for each division – battled against each other, representing their schools and provinces from across the region.

UV had a tough time defeating the equally strong opponent, the University of St. La Salle Of Bacolod but eventually nipped the championship award for the SBP division, 47-46. On the battle for the 3rd place, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion of Roxas easily defeated Hua Siong College of Iloilo, 52-48.

During the Passerelle division, UV only settled 2nd place on their match against Bacolod Tay Tung High School, 56-52. St. Robert’s International Academy of Iloilo came in 3rd after winning against Hercor College High School of Roxas, 72-63.

UV also received the Sportsmanship award in the Passerelle division, along with Hua Siong College Iloilo for the SBP division, after showcasing fair play not only among players but also among the coaches and parents who attended the tournament.

The regional champions will represent Visayas in the upcoming 31st season of the SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament national finals to be held in Bacolod City on December 3-4, 2016. There they will face La Salle Greenhills for SBP and Adamson University for Passerelle from NCR; and Xavier University for SBP and Holy Child of Davao for Passerelle from Mindanao.

Organized by the multi-awarded school for basketball and volleyball, BEST Center, sponsored by Milo, and supported by Chris Sports and Rain or Shine, SBP-Passerelle is the longest running and most prestigious interschool basketball competition for children where students ages 9-11 compete in the SBP division, while students ages 12-14 compete in the Passarelle division.

For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/66172039922

SBP-Passerelle Luzon finals got Berkeley and ISBB

photo credit: sun star baguio

Now on its 31st year, SBP-Passarelle is the longest running and most prestigious interschool basketball competition for children where students ages 9-11 compete in the SBP tournament, while students ages 12-14 compete in the Passarelle tournament

Berkeley School and International School for Better Beginnings (ISBB) bagged the championship title for the Luzon finals of SBP (Small Basketeers of the Philippines) – Passerelle, the largest twin tournament in the country, held at the Easter College Gym in Baguio City.

Berkeley School of Baguio easily won the SBP tournament against Wonderland School of Dagupan and earned their 4th consecutive regional championship title, 69-36. 3rd place went to Sacred Heart University after winning the battle against St. Scholastica’s Academy, 56-50.

Meanwhile, it was a hard feat for ISBB to beat St. Louis University during the Passerelle tournament until they finally took the lead halfway through the last quarter, ending the intense battle with 67-64 score. Holy Angel University came in 3 rd in a match against Urdaneta City National High School, 50-47.

ISBB also received the much-coveted Sportsmanship award for the Passerelle tournament while for the SBP tournament, the award was given to St. Scholastica’s Academy. Organized by the multi-awarded school for basketball and volleyball, BEST Center, sponsored by Milo, and supported by Chris Sports and Rain or Shine, SBP- Passerelle emphasizes the importance of fair play not just among players but also among coaches and parents. BEST center does not only aim to build future basketball champions, but also helps athletes develop values and discipline and team work and sportsmanship.

The last to host its regional finals is the Visayas, to be held in Roxas City on November 19-20, 2016. Other representatives for each region are La Salle Greenhills for SBP and Adamson University for Passerelle from NCR; and Xavier University for SBP and Holy Child of Davao for Passerelle from Mindanao, Winners for each regional finals will battle it out on the national championship to be held in Bacolod City.
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For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center- Sports-Inc/66172039922

SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament NCR finals set on Oct. 2

Photo Credit to The Bag Investigator

Eight equally talented teams will be competing for the NCR regional finals of the annual SBP (Small Basketeers of the Philippines) – Passerelle twin tournament. Organized by the multi-awarded school for basketball and volleyball, BEST (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training) Center and sponsored by Milo, and supported by Chris Sports and Rain or Shine, the event will happen on October 2, 2016 at the Jacinto Tiu Competition Court in Xavier School, Greenhills, San Juan.

Vying for the SBP NCR Championship are Ateneo Grade School, La Salle Greenhills, while Adamson University and La Salle Greenhills A will be fighting it out for the Passerelle division.

Other regional playoffs will be held on October 21 to 24 in Davao City for Mindanao, November 4 to 7 in Baguio City for Luzon and November 18 to 21 in Roxas City for Visayas.

The winners for each regional championship game will battle against each other at the national finals to be held in Bacolod City on December 3 and 4.

Now on its 31st season, SBP-Passerelle is the most prestigious interschool basketball competition for children. SBP division is for students ages 9-11 while Passerelle tournament is for students ages 12-14.


For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/66172039922.

*This is Press Release

BEST Center Opens Weekend Clinics

 BEST (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training) Center, the award-winning school for basketball and volleyball, will have another series of clinics for aspiring basketball and volleyball players at the Ateneo College Covered Courts and Starmall Alabang.

The highly anticipated classes at the Ateneo College Covered Court will be held every Saturday on September 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, November 5 and Sunday, November 6 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Students in Preparatory Level and Levels 1-5 will be joining the basketball clinic while volleyball will be for levels 1 and 2.

Meanwhile, clinics at Starmall Alabang are held every Sunday on September 18 and 25 and October 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Joining these classes are students belonging to the Preparatory Level and Levels 1-4.

“Sports are vital in the children’s growth and development. Aside from honing their athletic skills and encouraging kids to lead a healthy, active lifestyle, it also helps them learn self-discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and perseverance”, remarked Jorge.

The clinics provide scientific training for young boys and girls of varying skills and age levels which includes the fundamentals on ball handling, dribbling, passing, shooting, spiking, serving, blocking, footwork and defensive and offensive moves.

 

Since its establishment in 1978 by national coach Nic Jorge, BEST Center continues to produce some of the country’s finest basketball and volleyball players including Chris Tiu, Kiefer Ravena and Princess Gaiser.

For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail.com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-Center-Sports-Inc/66172039922.