UNITED CITY FC TO OFFICIALLY REPRESENT CENTRAL LUZON FIRST UCFC HOME MATCHES HOSTED IN OCTOBER IN NEW CLARK CITY

CAPAS, TARLAC. Philippines Football League (PFL) defending national champion United City Football Club (UCFC) is set to start hosting its official home matches during the ongoing 2022/23 PFL season at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium from October onwards, bringing excitement and live matches to football fans in Central Luzon.

The UCFC home-premier will be against the Azkals Development Team (ADT) led by former Azkals Captain Stephan Schroeck, on October 22 at 4:00pm at the world-class facility at New Clark City, making it the first professional football game to be held at the venue since it was built in 2019. This will be followed by UCFC hosting Stallion Laguna FC on November 5, with ticket sales for both matches going live this week

Through these matches, UCFC demonstrates its commitment to represent Region III and to raise Central Luzon’s banner on the national football scene. 

“To represent Central Luzon and bring football to the local community is a major step in the development of professional football in the country. Football is all about belonging, therefore our matches need to be played within the community we are representing, which is now Clark in Central Luzon,” stated UCFC President Eric M. Gottschalk in the presence of Philippines Football Federation General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes and Central Luzon Football Association President Alvin Yalung, during the signing of the MOU to seal the representation.  “We are proud to have access to the best sports venue in the Philippines when we host our home matches and we look forward to building our community and have our fans attending live matches at this beautiful stadium”. 

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Aileen R. Zosa gave her warm welcome to UCFC, and extended BCDA’s commitment to give the best football experience to the teams playing in New Clark City and their fans. 

“World-class sports facilities, safe environment, and stunning views–New Clark City can offer all of these and more. We are excited that UCFC chose New Clark City Athletics Stadium as the venue for its matches, and we hope to bring pride to players who will be coming to play here,” Zosa said.

UCFC (previously known as Ceres Negros) joined the PFL as one of the founding teams of the professional league in 2017 and has since bagged the national championships four times (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) as well as the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2 times. 

This ongoing PFL Season, which will run until May 2023, UCFC is competing in a quadruple round robin format against six other Club, with the winner to qualify for the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League Group Stage in August next year. Coming off strong performances against main rival Kaya Iloilo FC, UCFC is the favorite to retain its league title this season. During the December - January winter break, UCFC will start setting-up its Clark based youth academy with different activities also scheduled to take place around the football stadium, before UCFC will kick-off regular team appearances in early 2023 with at least 6 more PFL home games scheduled at NCC.  

Certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the New Clark City Athletics Stadium has a 20,000-seating capacity with a nine-lane 400-meter track and field, and another four-lane warm-up track surrounding a natural grass pitch, suitable to host local, national and international football competitions to the highest PFF, AFC ad FIFA standards.  

The complex was nominated as among the world’s best stadiums in the Stadium of the Year Awards in 2020. The following year, the facility received the Highly Commended recognition from the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in the Completed Buildings - Sport Category, and was also shortlisted for the Engineering Prize of the same competition.

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About UCFC:

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ABOUT UCFC: United City Football Club (UCFC) is a SEC registered Filipino professional football club company that aims to promote and build values such as equality, diversity, leadership through sports. 

UCFC is a member of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the Philippines' professional level of men's club football in the country and the official representative of the Central Luzon football association. UCFC, formerly known as Ceres-Negros before it changed its name in 2020, is currently the 4x defending national champion in the PFL and 2x winner of the Copa Paulino Alcantara. UCFC is also the 2x Philippines representative on the AFC Champions League group stage level (2021,2022), the biggest Asian football tournament.   

As a mission, the Club stands to help re-invigorate young athletes, families, and the local community through discipline, hard work, and passion. The ambition is further set the gold standard for best practices in SE Asia - be it on the football field, or within the community - and to provide a pathway and equal opportunities for the next generation of young talent in their pursuit of sporting & educational excellence.

UCFC is the most followed professional football club in the Philippines and the only club active on all major social media platforms. Its winning tradition and the ability to bring the best Filipino players to play for UCFC has gained the Club the reputation of being the foremost football club form the Philippines with strong reach into South East Asia and beyond

The Club recently announced its move to Central Luzon to start playing its home matches of the PFL at the world class facilities in New Clark City. 

Further, UCFC  has launched a dedicated 3rd playing kit to mark its move to New Clark City which will feature the orange colors of the Athletics stadium as well as permanent New Clark City branding on the right sleeve. The traditional home and away jerseys in black and gold are currently featuring the symbols of the Clark balloon festival. 

Future plans by UCFC evolve around setting-up the Clubs youth football academy and to build its own football-specific stadium

UCFC Logo meaning: 

The UCFC logo was chosen through a public fan voting and designed by Gerard Andaya of Grit Sports. The new UCFC logo features a circular crest not too different from its original identity of  to acknowledge the roots of the club in Bacolod.  With two (2) stars which pay tribute to the origins of the “Ceres–LaSalle” & “Ceres–Negros” heritage. The center of the logo is “Geometric patterned football” to represent that football is at the center of the club’s existence. The symmetry of the ball stands for “Unity & Stability. And the solid outer circle on the other hand symbolizes the solid fans, being the club’s foundation that holds everything together.  

Upcoming matches at New Clark City: 22 October vs ADT at 4:00pm & 5 November vs Stallion Laguna t 4:00pm; Ticket prices: Pesos: 200.00 grandstand; P150.00 Bleachers; Corporate hospitality and advertising opportunities, kindly inquire through the media officer.

Current UCFC Club Partners:

Allianz, New Clark City Chronos Athletics, Mysport, Klean Athlete, Sportskred

Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, Training Ground, Home and Haven for Athletes and Sports Enthusiasts

After the successful staging of the Green Run -- a multi-level run for elite athletes, training athletes, fun runners and fitness enthusiasts last July –Ayala Land’s 750-hectare Vermosa Estate is stepping up development to make it a complete venue for an active and healthy lifestyle down south.

Launched in 2018 as a South Luzon-based multi-sports facility that would help hone and prepare national and aspiring athletes to reach their individual and collective goals, Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub (AVSH) is already recognized as the go-to training facility south of the metro. Its multi-feature Sports Hub boasts of a FINA-standard Aquatic Center with an Olympic sized pool, an IAAF-certified Athletics Center with a world-class track oval, a football pitch with natural tiff grass, and a gym operated by Santé Fitness Lab.

 

In the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, AVSH was the playing venue for underwater hockey. Today, national athletes continue to train at the Sports Hub due to partnerships forged with the Philippine Athletic and Track and Field Association, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, World Archery Philippines and the Philippine Rugby Union. 

 

Vermosa Sports Hub facilities are constantly growing and evolving. The Aquatic Center now has a 25-meter warm-up pool and 240-seater bleachers around the Olympic-size pool. The installation of a lighting system has made the track oval ready for evening events. Also available is the Athlete’s Lounge that can also be a venue for seminars and small gatherings like product launches.  Soon to rise is an athletes’ dormitory called The Athletes’ House.  The initial phase will have 30 rooms, with 3 beds per regular room and 2 beds for PWD rooms, with a total of 87 beds. 

 

 “The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub was built with athletes in mind,” said Moses “MJ” Aragones, Vermosa Project Development Manager. “We want athletes to come here and consider it their training place and call it home.

 

“The Athletes’ House aims to support the needs of elite national athletes who will train in the Sports Hub. It lets them do lock-in training so they can avoid the hassle of transporting to and from the training venue. We want our athletes to start preparing already for the 2024 Olympics,” Aragones said.

 

A multi-purpose field where sports like archery, frisbee, and rugby can take place is also in the planning stage. Eventually a multi-purpose gym will also be built where indoor sports can be played, with spectators.

 

The world-class facilities and thoughtful features for competitive athletes and believers in a healthy lifestyle, all show Ayala’s commitment to developing the Filipino athlete. To ensure nurturance while keeping fit, there are food establishments around Vermosa Sports Hub, such as the Vermosa Food and Lifestyle Market, Mc Donald’s, Jollibee, Starbucks, and Chicken Peri-Peri.

 

“These continued improvements have made AVSH grow into a viable venue for hosting key local and international sporting events,” said Vermosa Estate Head Jay Teodoro.

 

“Hopefully, we can continue to make this place a home and training ground to more athletes and enthusiasts.  This is for all athletes to realize their dreams and for individuals to move forward in their pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle.” Teodoro added.

 

For more information about Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, go to vermosa.ph.

New Pinoy Wrestling Champion To Be Crowned in Annual Live Extravaganza at PETA Theater Center

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (August 19, 2022) – The Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF), the country’s prime professional wrestling brand, will crown its new MWF Pinoy Wrestling Champion on September 11, Sunday, 5 PM at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Its annual live extravaganza titled MWF Road To Fate 2022 is set to be headlined by an elimination-style match to determine the Philippines’ top athlete-entertainer, who will represent the country in the burgeoning Southeast Asian pro wrestling scene. 

Pinoy-Flavored World-Class Talent

The four contenders for the prestigious MWF title are the best of the best in the Pinoy wrestling scene today. 

• Crystal – The undisputed “Queen of Philippine Wrestling”, Crystal put women’s wrestling in the country under the international spotlight by competing against some of the world’s toughest female wrestlers, which include Japanese Joshi legend Emi Sakura, and in the 2019 WWE tryouts in China. In addition to her in-ring achievements, international media was also drawn to Crystal’s indelible allure when she was featured in an episode of Netflix’s “Midnight Asia”.  

• Nigel “Suplex” San Jose – MWF’s ultimate everyman underdog, Nigel San Jose has always risen above all odds armed with his unwavering determination and passion. Debuting in 2018 as an MWF trainee, San Jose had immediately impressed the whole Pinoy wrestling scene with his high-impact moves, holds and throws that allowed him to rise up the ranks early in his wrestling career. While this is his first high-profile match and his first exposure to media attention, Nigel San Jose guarantees to leave fans breathless with his undeniable fighting skills. 

• Jake De Leon – Dubbed as “Mr. Philippine Wrestling”, De Leon is already a multi-time Philippine wrestling champion and has represented the country in numerous matches internationally, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and most notably in mainland China – where he participated in the WWE tryouts in 2019. A Philippine wrestling pioneer with almost a decade of in-ring experience, Jake De Leon is one of the most respected and accomplished Filipino athletes in the genre. 

• Fabio Makisig – Fashioning himself as a modern Pinoy folk anti-hero, Fabio Makisig has captured the attention of MWF fans with his no-nonsense, street-smart bravado and spectacular athleticism. Having survived living in a tough Batasan neighborhood all his life, the “Walang Kasing Lupit, Walang Kasing Astig” Fabio has etched his name in Pinoy wrestling history by facing – and defeating – multi-time WWE titleholder TAJIRI. He was also featured in an episode of the ABSCBN News Channel documentary series “Mukha” in 2018. 

A Uniquely Filipino Championship Belt

Designed by artist Manuel Mesina III, the MWF Pinoy Wrestling Championship’s design celebrates the Filipino spirit just like the Philippines’ King of the Road – the Jeepney. Colorful, vigorous, attention-grabbing and always action-packed, the MWF Championship perfectly encapsulates Pinoy wrestling’s heart and soul. 

It was first held by Robin Sane, another international-level Pinoy wrestler, in 2018, and Ho Ho Lun from Hong Kong, one of Southeast Asian wrestling’s most significant and pioneering figures, in 2019, before being vacated early in 2022 due to the pandemic. 

MWF Road to Fate 2022 marks the uniquely Filipino championship belt’s homecoming. 

Tickets are now available online via Ticket2Me. For more details, visit www.manilawrestling.com. 

Filipino Gaming Platform OKBet Draws Festive Cheers during MPBL Games in Bacolod

Basketball games were extra festive and colorful in Bacolod as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's (MPBL) title sponsor OKBet delivered on its promise to bring the city’s MassKara Festival to life a few months earlier this year.

OKBet, the rising star in the local sports entertainment industry and MPBL's official partner for its ongoing fourth regular season, kicked off the two-day "OKBet Goes To Bacolod" event last July 18 at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium, coinciding with the highly-anticipated games of the country's top regional basketball league.

Among the four teams that played is the city's very own Bacolod Bingo Plus, one of the top performing teams so far this season in the south division — all the more reason for the dubbed “City of Smiles” to cheer and beam with glee.

Also there to compete were the Valenzuela City XUR Homes Realty Inc., Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines, and Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards. 

Following the opening match of the first day, a troupe of local performers donning kaleidoscopic costumes and their signature smiling masks entertained both the ever-blissful Bacolodnon crowds and the passionate supporters that poured in from different places to watch their favorite teams duke it out in the basketball court.

Local performers wearing festive masks and costumes entertaining the crowd

last July 18 at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod City

A special booth clad in the OKBet brand’s colors was set up in the venue, where lucky fans got their hands on loads of freebies and exciting prizes, including OKBet shirts, lanyards, and the chance to meet-and-greet the players once the games had concluded.

Prior to the basketball action, the multi-industry company also donated hygiene kits to the city government of Bacolod, as part of its ongoing string of corporate social responsibility initiatives that took off just a week earlier in Muntinlupa. This was done during the press conference hosted by Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez that welcomed the MPBL delegates.

OKBet representatives with Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez during the turnover 

of hygiene kits to the city government last July 17 in the Bacolod City Hall

The rather early celebration, which may very well be the first of many, follows OKBet’s commitment to support and celebrate all things Filipino — this time, with our joyful nature, world-class creativity,  and undeniably fun-loving culture put in the spotlight. Coupled with our proud fighting spirit, these culture-defining traits explain why our people love competitions and sporting events so much. OKBet wishes for us all to embrace such traits, as part of nation-building moving forward.

Over a month ago, this new name in the local gaming and sports entertainment industry unveiled an awe-inspiring mural in the world-famous Tenement Court in Taguig City. The massive artwork, done in collaboration with the Tenement Visual Artists, marked the company's promise to further promote the basketball scene and the countless aspiring athletes in the country after sealing their partnership with MPBL.

The OKBet x MPBL Tenement Court Mural unveiled last June 12 at the Tenement

Famous Court in Taguig City

MPBL league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes formally welcomed OKBet as this season's title sponsor back in June 12 in a joint press conference held at the Grand Ballroom of the Okada Manila in Parañaque City. He noted that the two parties share a common goal in empowering home-grown talents for them to reach their full potential, especially in these trying times when we are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By embracing and continuously celebrating the Filipino culture and identity, our people's happiness and fulfilment can outshine those of the smiling masks in Bacolod. The early celebration can be all year long instead.

Learn more about OKBet at www.okbet.com.

Thousands join Green Run for a cause at Vermosa

MANILA, Philippines –Close to two thousand elite runners, athletes in training and running enthusiasts signed up for the Vermosa Green Run at Imus, Cavite last Sunday, July 3, heeding the call to rediscover the outdoors and support a cause. 

Vermosa Project Development Manager Moses “MJ” Aragones said a total of 1,800 runners laced up and welcomed the opportunity to restart their passion in the 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K distance categories.

 

Vermosa Marketing Manager, Rina Reganit said: “We were overwhelmed with the response of the running community.  We only expected a thousand and we went over our expectations. We’re glad that the community is gradually opening up to events like this in the new normal.”

 

The run was staged within AyalaLand’s fourth largest estate, Vermosa, a highly-connected development. Vermosa is designed to have a complete mixed-use development similar to other Ayala Land estates like, Makati, Nuvali, Cebu Business Park, and BGC. 

 

The Green Run venue features a state-of-the-art professionally–managed sports facility, for professional and amateur athletes called the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub.  It has a FINA-standard Olympic-size swimming pool, a warm up pool, an IAAF standard 400m track oval, a football field with natural tiff grass, an events place that can accommodate 100 pax called the Athletes Lounge, and a gym operated by Santé Fitness Lab. The Sports Hub served as the operations center for the Green Run.

 

Pinoy Fitness president Jeff Lo, said the large turnout showed that the fitness community is eager to resume physical activity, enter competitions and enjoy a change of scenery.

 

 “Being active is a great way to relieve stress and boost energy levels.  This run gave elite and casual athletes a venue to resume training and indulge their passion for running and fitness. People are really excited to be back at gatherings and races like this,” Lo said.

 

 “We hosted the first Green Run here in Vermosa because Vermosa is all about sports and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. We encourage people to go out and indulge in physical activity for their physical and mental health. We also support our national athletes by letting them train here. We plan to bring The Green Run to our other estates in the future,” Aragones said

 

Reganit added that Vermosa has also committed to the environment by giving part of the Green Run proceeds to Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program. “We want to build a greener tomorrow,” Reganit said.

 

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About Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub

Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub (AVSH) is located within Ayala Land’s sprawling 750-hectare estate in Daang Hari, Imus, Cavite.  It brings together residential, retail, commercial spaces and a school all within the estate.  AVSH highlights an active lifestyle by offering athletes a number of sports facilities and wellness amenities including the nine-lane 400-meter track and field oval, football field, Olympic-size lap pool, warm up pool, The Athlete’s Lounge, a gym operated by Sante Fitness Lab, and green open spaces. With its state-of-the-art features, AVSH is home to some National Sports Associations and renowned teams in the country.  

Supercharged for the Future: Manulife, with the Support of Adidas Philippines, helps Enrich Filipinos’ Future with a Boost

Manila, Philippines ― In celebration of its 115th year in the Philippines, and the launch of FutureBoost, a flexible insurance plan that provides customers with rewards and bonuses that can maximize policy value, Manulife has partnered with global sportswear brand adidas through its Double Boost campaign. The leading global life insurer will be giving away pairs of adidas UltraBoost sneakers and adidas store vouchers to those looking to charge up their future. 

“For Filipinos who want to power up the path to their goals, FutureBoost is an affordable and flexible life and financial protection plan specially designed to provide them with the opportunity to boost their coverage as their life goals and priorities evolve,” said Melissa Henson, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. “With the support of adidas, one of the world's leading sportswear brands, we’re excited to introduce this innovative insurance plan to help empower Filipinos to take charge of their lives, reach for their goals, and maximize their strength and abilities so they can build a future that they can be proud of.” 

Jennianne Dacasin, adidas Philippines Brand Activation Senior Manager, added: “We at adidas believe in harnessing the power of sport to help people discover their limitless potential, on and off the field of play. By supporting Manulife in this initiative, we also show our support for all Filipinos as they tap into their inner athlete, live with the mindset of a champion, and gain confidence to focus on their goals so they can own their game – whether in sport or life -- and better secure their future.” 

The Double Boost campaign raffle is open to all Manulife and non-Manulife policyholders who can set an appointment about FutureBoost with a Manulife financial advisor from February 21 to March 31, 2022. After a successful product presentation, participants will earn one raffle entry for a chance to win a pair of adidas UltraBoost or adidas store vouchers worth Php1,500. New customers may click on the adidas UltraBoost Promo poster link found on Manulife’s Facebook page to set an appointment, while existing policyholders may get in touch with their financial advisor. Raffle draw winners will be announced in May 2022. 

For more details about the promo, visit the campaign page https://manulife.pub/manulifexadidas , Manulife Philippines’ Facebook page, or its website at www.manulife.com.ph

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About Manulife Philippines

 

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife’s Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country’s leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world’s largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website www.manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

 

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our global wealth and asset management segment, we serve individuals, institutions and retirement plan members worldwide. Our principal operations are in Asia and Canada, and the United States, where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. In the previous 12 months we made CAD$31.8 billion in payments to our customers.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Rebisco Continues to Grow Its Volleyball Family with Retooled Titan Team

NEW YEAR, SAME DEDICATION – Rebisco shows once again its all-out commitment to the sport of volleyball as they enter 2022 with a renewed focus and goal of getting its indoor professional teams in the Premier Volleyball League to a better finish.

Entering its third season in the PVL, head coach Oliver Almadro’s team aims to build on its first two stints as they aim for a podium finish this time around and raise the level of competition in the Philippines’ first professional volleyball league higher than ever.

After adding experienced and skilled veterans in setter Jem Ferrer and middle Cherry Nunag back in November, Choco Mucho signed four key players that will strengthen the team’s championship drive this season. They are Desiree Cheng, Isa Molde, Aduke Ogunsanya and Thang Ponce.

Cheng and Molde will provide the much-needed scoring in the wings while Ogunsanya and Nunag will join the defensive middle blocking composed of Bea De Leon and Shannen Palec. Ponce meanwhile, will support Denden Lazaro on floor defense.

“Choco Mucho is a team we consider to still be a work in progress. We are confident our new talented players will address the needs of the Titans and further strengthen what has already been built by the team,” says Rollie Delfino, Choco Mucho Flying Titans Team Manager.

With all PVL teams preparing heavily for another action-packed tournament, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans v 3.0 are ready to bring their A-game on the court this season.

“The competitive spirit, the passion, the pride, and the willingness to do more together with faith is what I see this team being all about,” added head coach Oliver Almadro.

UNITED CITY FC ANNOUNCES FIRST BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP - GRAVITY SPORT ADDS UCFC TO ITS GROWING SPONSORSHIP PORTFOLIO

4 November 2021 - Manila, Philippines:

United City Football Club (UCFC) announces Gravity Sport as its official blockchain partner in another landmark sponsorship deal for an Asian football club.

UCFC becomes the first Asian football club entering into a fully executed commercial & technology partnership with Gravity Sport. This consumer-focused universal blockchain solution enables sports teams to build & monetize content, data security, and entertainment in a custom-built digital asset ecosystem. Gravity Sport has previously signed a partnership with Italian side Parma Calcio.

With the rise of blockchain, NFTs, and metaverse in the country, UCFC is positive that this partnership will pave the future of football and how fans will have ownership of the club's collectibles and put a new meaning to tokenization.

"We are proud to have reached another milestone in our vision of how we think Club football not only in the Philippines shall evolve over time, and we would like to thank Gravity Sport for its vision to see the potential in partnering with UCFC as well as Orchid Sport & Entertainment, which helped us to complete the deal." States Eric M. Gottschalk, President of UCFC.

"We will be the first regional football club to integrate blockchain into its operations from merchandise, membership, data analysis & security. Therefore, it allows our fans to get closer to the players through our dedicated fan tokens and exclusive NFTs, which will be launched ahead of the 2022 season".

Through the Gravity Sport blockchain technology and NFT marketplace, United City will be able to create innovative fan-owned assets such as exclusive digital player cards, including interviews, match highlights, and goals scored. Such assets can be obtained using the unique UCFC fan tokens and can be traded among fans.
"The partnership with Gravity Sport and the use of blockchain technology will allow UCFC to make another step forward in unlocking new revenue streams and to become a sustainable football business that does not rely purely on match-day revenues or sponsorship income alone," states Gottschalk.

Also, it will connect to new global audiences with mass adoption, delivering next-generation adoption & future-proofing engagement.

As a digital economy enabler, Gravity Sport commercializes, hosts & operates the complete platform in partnership with the rights holder.

"Gravity Sport is tremendously proud to add United City FC to its growing portfolio of international sports properties, following our jersey partnership with Parma Calcio in August, "commented Stuart Gallacher, Founder at Gravity Sport.

"The Philippines is a very interesting market for us as the country is poised to reach new economic heights in the near future while its young, tech-savvy population is naturally equipped to easily grow into the new area of "blockchain technology".

"And just like us, UCFC is fast evolving, has a clear, futuristic vision while displaying strong values which assures that our ambitions are closely aligned. We are excited to innovate jointly with UCFC as we believe we have an incredibly exciting global blockchain NFT marketplace which will benefit all stakeholders, players, media, and of course the strong fan audiences that UCFC already has."

The Gravity Sport partnership is extended across all the UCFC football and esports properties, and while effective immediately, it will fully kick off early next year alongside the 2022 season.

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ABOUT UCFC: United City Football Club (UCFC) is a SEC registered Filipino Professional Football Club that aims to promote and build values such as equality, diversity, leadership through sports.

UCFC is a member of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the Philippines' professional level of men's club football in the country. The Club is currently the 4x defending national champion in the PFL and the first Philippine team to qualify and to win a match on the AFC Champions League level when the team featured against Beijing FC during the AFC Champions League Group stages in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

As a mission, the Club stands to help re-invigorate young athletes, families, and the local community through discipline, hard work, and passion. The ambition is to be the best of the best in Asia - be it on the football field, esports, or within the community - and provide a pathway and equal opportunities for the next generation of young talent in their pursuit of sporting & educational excellence.

The Club recently announced its move to the Pampanga / Tarlac region, where it plans to set up its youth football academy in Clark City and to and build its football stadium while making use of the already existing stadium facilities in New Clark City in the meantime.

As part of the move, United City FC will be renamed to United Clark FC by the end of 2021, while its Esports division will simply be called UCFC Esports.

The UCFC Esports division was successfully launched in June 2021 and currently features three professional teams participating in titles such as Valorant, League of Legends: Wild Rift as well as E-football (PES / FIFA), with more teams such as "Mobile Legends" etc. to be added in 2022.

Rebisco Ignites Volleyball Dreams In Thailand And Beyond

Biscuit and snack food giant Rebisco is all-out for Philippine volleyball.

The main supporter of the Philippine Men's and Women's National Teams' stint at the Asian Club Championship hosted by Thailand sees the international volleyball club competition as a great opportunity for our local athletes to get the all-important foreign exposure that will hone their game.

Noric Ng, Business Unit Head of Rebisco, said everyone at Rebisco is happy that volleyball is alive despite the global situation and that the country’s veterans and next generation athletes are able to play their game at a high level of competition.

“Rebisco is truly committed to pursue its passion for volleyball by supporting the game at all levels, from grassroots development, to competitive sports in the amateur and professional levels, and at the national level through this partnership with the PNVF,” Mr. Ng said.

Rebisco started supporting the national volleyball teams since 2017 but the three year partnership signed with the PNVF for the National Teams, enables the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) to run a long-term, consistent national team program by providing regular funding and participation in competitions such as this.

Rebisco’s sights are set on a podium finish in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in 2022.

“Our dream is to help the PNVF grow the sport and make this game an expression of the Filipino soul, locally and internationally. Our long-term goal is to make the Philippines a recognized international power in volleyball,” Mr. Ng said.