SEA Games 2019 Recognized as Best Ever, Receives SPIA Asia 2019 Excellence Award

MANILA – No amount of rain was going to stop these honors from being handed out. With Typhoon Tisoy raging outside, SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards & Conference, held its fifth edition at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City Philippines on December 2 and 3, 2019. After two days of panels, case studies, and interviews on the business of sports, the business of football in Asia, sports and new technology, sports and tourism, and integrity and inclusion, the SPIA Asia Awards were also handed out, recognizing and celebrating sporting excellence of the industry,

For hosting the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) was awarded a special Excellence Award by SPIA. PHISGOC Chairman and Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano received the honor from SPIA Chief Executive Officer Eric Gottschalk.

Football legend Ronaldo Nazario de Lima, more popularly known simply as Ronaldo, was awarded the Sport and Beyond Award, an honor celebrating both his career as a legendary footballer as well as his accomplishments beyond the football pitch. The three-time FIFA Footballer of the Year, two-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, and three-time winner of the FIFA World Cup was a goal-scoring machine for Brazil on the international stage and for club teams like FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid CF, A.C. Milan, and Corinthians. Following his retirement from competition, “El Fenomeno” became the majority owner of Real Valladolid in 2018 and hopes to bring the club to new heights.

The Best Asian Sports Team honor was handed to the Japanese Rugby Team who shocked the world at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where they served as hosts. After winning the Pacific Nations Cup earlier in the year, Japan was grouped with Russia, Ireland, Samoa, and Scotland. The Brave Blossoms’ 28-21 win over Scotland made them the first Asian team to top their group at the Rugby World Cup and the first Asian team to make it to the knockout stage.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka was named Best Asian Sportswoman of the Year. After being named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2016, Osaka famously defeated Serena Williams in the final of the 2018 US Open to become the first Japanese Grand Slam singles champion. She followed that up by defeating Petra Kvitova to win the 2019 Australian Open and became the first Asian player to be ranked first in the world in singles. Only 22-years-old, many believe that the best is yet to come for Osaka.

As if he doesn’t have enough accolades already, the only eight-division boxing champion in history, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, was awarded the Best Asian Sportsman of the Year. Pacquiao started the year by retaining the WBA (Regular) welterweight title via a 12-round unanimous decision over Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Seven months later at the same venue, “the Pac-Man” won the WBA (Super) welterweight championship via a 12-round split decision over Keith Thurman.

Other notable winners at the SPIA Awards included The Chongqing Major as Best eSports Event of the Year in Asia, Shopee and Cristiano Ronaldo from SportQuake as Best Brand Activation of the Year, Atrium Sports – Kilsyth Basketball Connected Stadium from Atrium Sports with the Best Use of Technology in Sports, the Rugby World Cup in Japan from World Rugby/Rugby World Cup Limited won both Best International Sporting Event of the Year and Best Sports Digital Platform of the Year, while the WTA Finals 2018 from Lagardere Sports of Singapore was named Best Integrated Marketing Campaign of the Year.

The Best Mass Participation Event in the Philippines was given to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for the National Milo Marathon while Honda Philippines won Best Sponsorship of Sport, Team, Individual, Venue, or Event in the Philippines for the Honda Philippines Nationwide Tour. Meanwhile, the Football 7s Youth Program was awarded Best Youth Sports Development Program in the Philippines.

Football playing brothers Phil and James Younghusband were also recognized during the awards gala as Phil, who recently retired from his international football career, had a statue of himself auctioned off for charity. Another Philippine sports personality that was recognized was gymnast Carlos Yulo who won gold at the SEA Games for the All-Around and Floor Exercise as well as silvers in the Pommel Horse and Still Rings.

Aside from Ronaldo, also present at the two-day conference and awards night was track and field icon Dr. Edwin Moses, chairman of the education committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The American is a sporting legend in the 400m hurdles, having won gold medals at both the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Yet on top of his many accolades, Moses has arguably accomplished even more after his track and field career as he has served as chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy in 2000 which seeks to promote and increase participation in sport at every level, and also to promote the use of sport as a tool for social change around the world. Moses joined Ronaldo onstage for the “Icon 2 Icon” talk as they discussed their lives both during and after their athletic careers ended.

The SPIA Asia conference saw over 600 delegates and over 60 speakers, with over 450 submissions in 25 categories nominated for awards.

For more information about the conference program, visit www.spiaasia.com.

Mastercard Rallies Filipinos to Support the 2019 Southeast Asian Games

MANILA, PHILPPINES – November 21, 2019 – Mastercard today solidified its commitment to ‘Win As One’ at the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games through an event at the Glorietta Activity Center that unveiled the various ways it makes the Games a priceless experience for Filipinos.

Mastercard is committed to creating a priceless SEA Games experience for all Filipinos. Mastercard is powering the official 2019 SEA Games mobile app, which has a payment functionality embedded, and has also released a limited-edition commemorative 2019 SEA Games Mastercard prepaid card through its partner Philippine National Bank. Another initiative to make the games a priceless experience is the Mastercard augmented reality filter on Facebook which allows Filipinos to show support by posting selfies embellished with fun backgrounds, stickers, and music. As the official payment partner of the SEA Games, Mastercard cardholders will also enjoy exclusive 10% discount on ticket purchase with a minimum spend of Php 1,000 at any SM Tickets outlet or online via smtickets.com, and through the 2019 SEA Games mobile app.

To get more Filipinos to participate, Mastercard Philippines Country Manager Rowell Del Fierro, together with distinguished guests, proudly unveiled the Mastercard Jeepney, designed by local artist Lou Pineda-Arada. The jeepney is a well-loved Philippine cultural icon and Mastercard is leveraging it as a symbol of unity - a figurative ride towards the country’s victory. The Mastercard Jeepney also features a volleyball and basketball motion-sensing game, which the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon’s star player Kobe Paras got to play in front of the crowd.

“In the spirit of supporting the government and ensuring Philippines is a successful host of the 2019 SEA Games, Mastercard has created multiple interactive initiatives encouraging Filipinos to actively participate in the event,” said Rowell Del Fierro, Country Manager of Mastercard Philippines.

With a little over a week left until the opening ceremony, Mastercard and Philippines Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) are asking Filipinos to Start Something Priceless at the 2019 SEA Games.

The Mastercard Jeepney will be stationed at the Glorietta Activity Center until November 29.

About Mastercard

Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardAP, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

MG MOTOR SIGNS AS OFFICIAL MOBILITY PARTNER OF THE 30TH SOUTH EAST ASIAN GAMES

MANILA, Philippines – November 18, 2019 – Morris Garages—better known today as MG—the much-loved British heritage car brand, has signed an agreement with the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) and Mediapro Asia to be the Official Mobility Partner of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 10th ASEAN Para Games.

As part of the sponsorship 80 MG vehicles will feature with the 30th SEA Games logo, and these will be used to ferry athletes and teams to and from games. These special-edition MG 30th SEA Games edition vehicles will be seen in various parts of the country during the much-awaited, multi-sport biennial event. With this partnership, MG supports all the athletes participating in the 30th SEA Games on their path to greatness as we all #DriveToWin.

MG has almost a century of motoring heritage behind it and is truly the fastest growing global brand with headquarters in both hemispheres of the globe. Specifically, in Southeast Asia, it is present in The Philippines and in Thailand, and will also be available very soon in Indonesia. Today, the MG brand is teeming with youthful energy, and its dynamism as an automotive innovator pushes the envelope of excellence. In this partnership with the 30th SEA Games, MG identifies with and celebrates the pursuit of excellence. The same values that drive MG forward: discipline, honesty, innovation, hard work, character, and fun are mirrored in each and every SEA Games athlete. In this respect, MG emulates and reflects the greatness present in every SEA Games athlete.

MG Philippines President & CEO Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla, says: “To be part of the 30th Southeast Asian games—an edition that features so many milestones and firsts—is a distinct honor for us at MG Philippines. As the Official Mobility Partner of the 30th SEA Games, we are grateful to provide meaningful assistance to all local and international athletes and teams by equipping them with safe, comfortable, and stylish rides for the duration of the games. It is our privilege to be of service to all athletes as they battle it out for their respective countries, and it invigorates us to see so many energetic talents sharing in the spirit of competition and camaraderie. Through this partnership, we uphold the long sporting heritage of MG and enliven the competitive spirit that fuels MG to excel.”

Lars Heidenreich, Managing Director of Mediapro Asia, shares: “We are thrilled to have another partner on board through us. With MG, we hope this sponsorship turns the Philippines into a stronghold for the brand.”

The Philippine SEA Games Organizational Committee (PHISGOC) Foundation, Inc. is likewise delighted to have MG on board, as a transportation and mobility partner who can surely accommodate the needs of all the athletes and participants of the 30th SEA Games.

PHISGOC Senior Managing Director Jojit Alcazar, says: “We thank MG for the opportunity to partner with a brand with such a rich motoring heritage. We are likewise very thankful to MG for providing everyone in the SEA Games with the ability and the means to move around all our many game venues all over the country.”

About Mediapro Asia

Mediapro Asia, with its headquarters in Singapore, supports the Mediapro Group as the official TV- and media rights representatives of LaLiga, who also market the Ladies European Tour, the Asian Volleyball Championships, the Kooyong Classics Tennis event and ManCity TV across Asia/Pacific. In addition to being a sports media agency, the Asia office doubles as a marketing partner, providing clients with consulting services and offering end-to-end solutions to promote their brands using sporting personalities, sports events and creating sporting assets. Mediapro inventory includes LED advertising as well as virtual boards (digital board replacements) within LaLiga matches and sponsorship deals for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. The Mastercard SEA Games partnership follows the recent announcement of a Platinum partnership with Skyworth and a number of other successful collaborations such as Liverpool’s Sadio Mane with Tourism Indonesia and the Luis Suarez campaign with Tourism Malaysia.

About PHISGOC

The Philippine South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), chaired by House Speaker Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, is the official organizer of the 30th SEA Games hosted by the Philippines this year.

Experienced and eminent personnel from the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, and various professionals from the marketing and advertising sectors, among others, comprise PHISGOC; all acting as a collective to make the 2019 SEA Games the best and most viewed in the history of the South East Asian Games.

About MG

MG released its first automobile in 1924, solidifying its position as a genuine heritage brand in the automobile industry. Today, MG is the embodiment of a truly global brand.

With the financial and technical backing of SAIC Motor, a top-ranked Fortune 500 company—and China’s largest auto manufacturer and exporter—and utilizing its newly inaugurated Advanced London Design Studio in Central London, MG is well-primed to take the international stage. MG is currently experiencing a renaissance as it aggressively enters new markets with an array of distinctive and well-appointed models. TCCCI’s representation of the MG brand in the Philippines marks an exciting chapter in what is already a very colorful brand story for MG.

MG Philippines – The Covenant Car Company, Inc. is the exclusive importer and distributor of MG automobiles and parts in the Philippines. MG Philippines is located at the Ground Floor, ALCO Building, 391 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, 1209 Makati City. MG Philippines currently has eleven (11) dealerships namely MG BF Parañaque, MG EDSA Centris, MG Batangas, MG Carmona, MG Dasmariñas, MG Lipa, MG Sta. Rosa, MG Cebu Mandaue, MG Davao, MG Cabanatuan (sales office), and MG Iloilo (sales office.) The launch of seven (7) more MG dealerships are slated to happen before the end of 2019 including MG Alabang, MG Commonwealth, MG Quezon Avenue, MG Pampanga, MG Cabanatuan, MG Iloilo, and MG Tacloban.

For more information, you may visit www.mgmotor.com.ph. You may also call MG Philippines’ 24/7 hotline at (02) 5328-4664.