Alay Para Atleta Mobile Donation Campaign for Filipino Para Athletes Launched

Following the successful campaign of Philippine para-athletes in the recently concluded 9th ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia in September, the Philippine Paralympic Committee/Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PPC-PHILSPADA) is pushing the envelope further to support local para athletes in upcoming international competitions.

PPC PHILSPADA launched today a mobile donation service called “Alay PARA Atleta”, a simple and easy way for Filipino citizens to participate in the Philippine Paralympic movement using their mobile phones. The group has tied up with Rising Tide Mobile Entertainment Inc., a mobile content and service company, to launch APA on both Globe and Smart so Filipinos everywhere can help enable our para-athletes to move forward. Under the campaign, citizens can donate amounts starting at P10 up to P500 simply by texting the amount to access code 3456 on their cellphones.

According to PPC-PHILSPADA president Michael Barredo, the mobile donation campaign is part of an integrated marketing plan that aims to propagate the national paralympic movement through various events and activities that will increase public awareness and support for our athletes with disability.

On September 1, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) partnered with the PPC-PHILSPADA so UAAP students and schools can join the Paralympic movement and support Philippine para-athletes using the mobile facility, a communication and payment mode that is most appealing to millennials. UAAP students and athletes are looking to volunteer as support staff and crew in the next ASEAN Para Games in 2019 that will be hosted by the Philippines.

The country won a total of 69 medals (20 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze) in the last Para SEA Games held September 17 to 23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Formerly ranked 7th in the overall standing, the Philippines moved two notches higher to 5th place in the ASEAN region. PPC PHILSPADA sees this as the perfect jump board for bigger achievements for Filipino para athletes.

The biggest surprise in the recent KL stint were the fresh para athletes who bagged medals in their very first international competition. These rising stars are products of Palarong Pambansa and includes 16-year old Ma. Cielo Honasan who bagged 3 golds in Athletics, Gary Bejino, 21, 1 gold and 3 bronze in swimming and Claire Calizo, 18, a silver and a bronze in swimming.

“Our showing in KL validated our long range plan: to implement a grassroots development program that will help discover new talents and harness our existing ones in order to create a bigger pool of para athletes that will be ready to compete in the next 2018 Indonesia Asian Para Games, the ASEAN Para Games in Manila in 2019, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and other international para sport competitions,” Barredo said.

“The Alay PARA Atleta Program is our response to the colorful performance of our para athletes in the recent Para Games. Funds raised through this program will help provide our para athletes with equipment and basic needs that will support them in their quest to transcend their personal barriers to achieve excellence and excite the world. Above all, it will inspire them to know that the whole country is behind them in their dream to excel and bring honor to the country,” he continued.

Barredo further emphasized that “whatever resources we are able to generate will help strengthen PPC’s organizational capacity to enable our national sports associations (NSAs) to implement our grassroots development program. This is in alignment with the mandate of our Philippine Sports Commission Chairman, Butch Ramirez.”

Some Filipino para athletes who have consistently brought home honor for the country are powerlifter Adeline Dumapong (Polio Wheelchair), gold medalist in the 2017, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 and 2003 ASEAN Para Games and bronze in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics; table tennis ace Josephine Medina (Polio Standing), gold medalist in the ASEAN Para Games 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 and 2003; swimmer Ernie Gawilan (Congenital Deformity), gold medalist in the 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011 and 2009; track star Jerrold Pete Mangliwan (Polio Wheelchair), gold medalist in the 2015 ASEAN Para games; Joel Balatucan of field athletics (Polio Wheelchair), gold medalist in the 2015, 2013, 2011 and 2009 ASEAN Para Games; and Julius Jun Obrero (Polio Standing), gold medalist and Wheelchair Dance Sport IPC World Champion.

Adamson Lady Falcons set to soar higher with all-star, all-female coaching team

Proving that women can be just as strong in the male-dominated world of sports, Adamson University, together with its sponsor Akari Lighting and Technology Corporation, proudly announces an all-female coaching team for the Adamson University Lady Falcons in the 79^th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) seniors women’s volleyball.

Aiming to soar higher this year, Adamson University Lady Falcons has tapped American coach AiressPadda as head coach. A highly successful athlete-turned-coach, Padda is the founder and director of Malibu Palms Volleyball Club. She began her coaching career with the Hacienda Heights Volleyball Club in 2008 before being appointed as the head coach of the junior varsity team at Sierra Canyon whom she led to a state championship in 2013. Padda also worked as head coach at Malibu High School where in her first season, she took the girl’s team to their best finish to date.

Assisting Padda are returning assistant coaches Cherry Macatangay and Michele Gumabao. Former Golden Tigress AngeliTabaquero rounds up the all-star Lady Falcons coaching staff.

Macatangay, a multi-titled volleyball player, is a former Adamson Lady Falcon. She was a three-time Best Scorer and a Most Valuable Player (MVP) titlist for the Shakey’s V-League Conference. She was also a member of the national team where she took home a Silver Medal at the 1995 SEA Games.

Meanwhile, Gumabao led the Lady Spikers to a three-peat in the UAAP, proving that she is one of the best defensive players in her league. She bagged two Best Blocker trophies and a Finals MVP award in UAAP 75. Most recently, she took home Finals MVP honors in Shakey’s V-League Reinforced Conference.

Finally, Tabaquero apart from being a UAAP and Shakey’s V-League champion, was named team captain of the Philippine National Team in the 2013 Asian Championship. She is currently the head coach of the high school volleyball team of Saint Pedro Poveda College.

Padda and the rest of the coaching team will continue to have strong support from Akari, the country’s top lighting and technology brand, as the Lady Falcons vie for the championship title.

“For three years now, we have been supporting Adamson’s basketball and volleyball teams as part of Akari’s youth development and sports programs,” said Russell Balbacal, Akari Lighting and Technology sports director and the Lady Falcons’ team manager. “We hope that the team-up of head coach Airess with Cherry, Michele and Angeli will mold the Lady Falcons into a strong unit, and hopefully clinch the championship title. With their individual success in the UAAP and professional leagues, we are confident that their winning ways and attitude will rub off to our young team.”Akari also supports scholarship projects to reinforce their commitment to education.

Adamson University has produced successful athletes in professional sports. Its women’s volleyball team has landed several UAAP Final Four finishes and a Shakey’s V-League championship title. A UAAP championship titleat this point isstill a dream but Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, director of the Office for Athletics and Recreation, is optimistic that the new coach can pave the way to, if not attain, that ultimate goal.

Akari Welcomes Its Newest Brand Ambassador Michele Gumabao joins Team Akari

Akari, the country’s top lighting and electrical brand, is proud to announce Michele Gumabao, three-time UAAP Champion and former UAAP Best Blocker and Finals MVP, as its latest brand ambassador joining Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng (current Akari faces) and Alvin Patrimonio and Asi Taulava (former Akari endorsers).

Gumabao earns the distinction of being the first female athlete tapped to represent the brand. “Akari associates itself with athletes – both delivering important attributes in their respective fields: power, energy and durability. Michele is a respected volleyball player who has successfully transitioned from collegiate competition to the professional league. Her stint in the pro ranks is a display of her staying power, both in and off the court. To date, she remains as one of the Philippine volleyball scene’s freshest and brightest faces”, said Marian Gomez, marketing manager of Akari Lighting and Technology Corp.

Watch out for Michele Gumabao as she shares her firsthand experience with Akari products. For updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@akarilights).

AdU Appoints Franz Pumaren as New Soaring Falcons Head Coach

Adamson University officially names multi-awarded basketball player and coach Franz Pumaren as the new head coach of the Soaring Falcons men’s basketball team effective January 1, 2016.

Pumaren is a seasoned professional basketball player and multi-titled coach. He has played most of his professional basketball career in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for the San Miguel Beermen, where he won nine championships with the team including a Grand Slam feat in 1989. In the UAAP, Pumaren led the De La Salle University Green Archers to four straight men’s basketball titles in the UAAP from 1998 to 2001 and won his final championship title with the team in 2007. After his UAAP stint, he coached the Air 21 Express team in the PBA for three seasons.

“We are putting our full trust in Franz,” says Fr. Gregorio Bañaga, Jr., CM, AdU’s outgoing president. “While we do not expect an instant transformation, we are optimistic that he and the coaching staff will build us back to become a highly competitive team in the coming seasons to live up to its name, the Soaring Falcons.”

Pumaren’s appointment comes at a most opportune time for Adamson as it tries to rebuild its basketball program and greatly improve the performance of the team. Seeking to exploit its chances, the university will count on Pumaren’s expertise and guidance to come back stronger.

It will be recalled that the last time AdU won the basketball championship in the UAAP was in 1977 when it won both the men’s and junior’s crowns. AdU made three Final Four appearances in 2006, 2010, and 2011 but since then the team has struggled to string together good results.

Also taking the lead in welcoming the veteran coach is top lighting and electrical brand, Akari, along with the team’s other supporters, Metro Stonerich Corporation and Alliance in Motion Global. The lighting and electrical brand has been a proud supporter of Adamson University’s sports programs for two years.  

“Akari is committed to back up Adamson Soaring Falcons in its bid to be a consistent UAAP title contender,” says Akari sports director Russell Balbacal. “The appointment of Coach Pumaren will definitely pave the way for the Falcons’ dream of becoming legitimate challengers.” 

New book tackles the Ateneo-Lasalle Rivalry: How did it all begine?

The UAAP season is reaching its climax again with the teams of Ateneo, DelaSalle, NU and FEU in the final lineup. UAAP fans are awaiting with bated breath for the final toss up: is it going to be an Ateneo-La Salle match in the finish?

Ever since the start of the University Athletic Association in the Philippines in 1938, Ateneo and La Salle games have drawn the most ardent and passionate crowds. Ticket sales for these sports matches have virtually subsidized the whole season. The rivalry at the games has extended into many other competitions and has at times intensified into ugly verbal and physical tussles between students. This has led many to ask: Is basketball the be-all and end-all of the rivalry between schools?

This question is what columnist, TV host and author RJ Ledesma tackles extensively with his trademark humor and ironic wit in his latest book entitled BLUE BABBLE, GANG GREEN the Ateneo-La Salle Rivalry. In his essays, RJ looks at the different angles and possible reasons for the intense competition between the two schools. In his research RJ refers to an article written in the 90's about a controversy that erupted n the late 19th century America between the two largest teaching controversy apparently extended beyond the Atlantic Ocean into Philippines shares and into the campuses of the Ateneo de Manila and Dela Salle University.

Of this controversy, RJ writes that "It was a rivalry that got downright Latin" and compares it with the rivalries between the Spartans versus the Persians. Toyota versus Crispa and Noranians versus Vilmanians.." Nevertheless, Christian values will prevail at the end. After each game and victory, the winners and losers are reminded that to be a La Sallian, one must be open to the needs of others and to be an Atenean, one must be a man for others. In his conclusion he writes, "Ateneo and La Salle have both enriched me as a person. And we continue to seek God in all this. God's presence is wherever we are, whomever we are with. Whether they be Blue or Green."

Master Game Face Community Night

Master Philippines under Unilever, together with MRM/McCann as the organizing group, invited selected basketball communities to a Master Game Face exclusive launch last May 31, 2014 in Skinny Mike’s Sports Bar located at 32nd St. corner Justice Drive, Bonifacio Global City.

The leading men's skin care and face care brand is holding the biggest basketball face-off this June 21, 2014 called “The Master Game Face All-Star Challenge”! This event will be the ultimate all-star basketball game between two teams composed of the hottest players in Philippine basketball today. It will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Basketball Players from NCAA, UAAP, and PBA led by Team Captains Marc Pingris and Chris Tiu.

The night was all about the recognition of Communities and fans of Basketball and to let them know more about what Master Game Face Challenge is together with the announcement on event that will be coming up before the awaited Master Game Face Challenge. 

On June 7, 2014 Master Philippines under Uniliver will be doing the Draft Pick for the final set of players in the Game Face Challenge in SM MOA Music Hall at 3pm which invites everybody to be a part of it, because aside from the main event, there will also be fun filled activities in the area and you may also win prizes as well. 

UAAP Partnership with Yamaha

The Philippines' top collegiate sports league teams up with the country's leading AT motorcycle company.

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines and Yamaha forged a partnership for the upcoming college sports season at the Yamaha YZone in Pasig City.

UAAP President Rod Roque and ABSCBN Licensing Officer Karen Coloma joined Yamaha representatives Romy Tan, Ryan Camus, Toru Osugi, and Kaoru Ogura in signing the memorandum of agreement that formalized the partnership.

In line with the partnership, the motorcycle company, according to Yamaha Marketing Director Camus, will visit each of the eight member universities to put up booths promoting its latest AT motorbikes.

Basketball player Mo Gingerich addressed that this partnership with Yamaha will definitely boost the UAAP in terms of its constant growth throughout the years. “Each season seems to be bigger than the next—there’s more coverage, there’s more participation” he said.

Camus also bared plans of going to the schools' respective sister campuses and even to non-UAAP member colleges.

He also revealed plans of having specially-designed UAAP-themed Yamaha Mio Sporty motorbikes in the market soon.

Student athletes Mikko Mabanag, Jaja Santiago, Bernadette Pons, and Moriah Gingerich also graced the partnership event.