From UP Fight to UP Flight

For a time it looked as if the UP Fighting Maroons had nowhere to go but down.

After the 1986 UAAP championship, UP’s performance in the premiere collegiate league could be described as uneventful, even dismal, save for two seasons back in 1996 and 1997 when the team reached the Final Four.

The UP community grew indifferent. And with a string of bottom-dwelling and sometimes winless seasons in 2007, 2010 and 2013, the community seemingly lost all interest. Recruitment suffered. Aspirations towards a championship fizzled out. The UP Maroons continued to battle in the UAAP, but unlike their competition, they appeared less inspired, playing like boys against men.

Perhaps one reason was that the team operated on a bare-minimum budget. This resulted in so-so recruitment and short-term, season-to-season systems that failed to develop the young players from competitors to winners. Eventually, the once-mighty Maroons of 1986 and the late 90’s lost their winning ways, lacked the will to win and sank into a dismal losing culture. Sad but true, but when the UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team was mentioned, the name became synonymous with losing.

So pathetic was the Maroons’ ability to win that in Season 77 in 2014, the team and a community of Maroons fans celebrated their lone win of the season against Adamson U with a bonfire at the UP Sunken Garden. The win had snapped a 27-game losing streak and a loss-soaked 720 days. Some ridiculed UP for celebrating mediocrity with the bonfire. Had the team really sunk so low?

In reality, it was the beginning of a turnaround. Following that bonfire, a UP alumnus posted an article on his Facebook account that bemoaned the sorry state of the UP basketball program, citing hungry athletes, lack of resources including transportation, lack of electricity in their quarters and other woes. The Facebook post became viral. The article sparked outrage, concern, then an outpouring of support from the alumni community. That year UP won just 1 game, but that one game meant everything. It changed the mindset of the players, changed the perception of the UP community towards the athletes and gave birth to the biggest and strongest grassroots support base for the team, the nowheretogobutUP movement. That one game became the spark that started the resurgence of the UP Fighting Maroons.

Four years after that fateful day in 2014, the Maroons have thrived. Thanks to a strong team management and coaching staff. Thanks to exciting recruits and alumni, fans, friends and students who rallied to the cause. Thanks to sponsors, supporters and donors who have given in big and little ways, the improvement in the team with regards to coaching, line-up and performance has grown by leaps and bounds.

Through Seasons 78 through 80, the UP Fighting Maroons have become Final Four contenders once again. The team that celebrated on the basis of just one win is now poised to target the Final Four in Season 81 and, who knows? Maybe even the championship.

The UP Men’s Basketball Team got its biggest break in the off-season with the support and commitment of 3M Philippines. The global science company that never stops inventing and applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily has always believed in talent and most importantly, potential. Ariel Lacsamana, 3M Managing Director and a UP alumnus, said 3M became intrigued with the UP team and its story. Through its long and many struggles, the team never gave up. It kept chipping away at its challenges and solved its problems proudly and creatively. 3M loved the grit and the never-give-up attitude of the UP Fighting Maroons and decided it would take a chance on the UPMBT. It formalized a long-term partnership with the team that will support it through UAAP Season 81 and in other leagues that it would participate in as well.

“This is not the first time we are partnering with educational institutions or talent,” the 3M MD said. “We do what we can to support and provide tools, resources and knowledge. We believe that the UP Men’s Basketball Team is talent worth investing in.”

Come September when the UPMBT faces its most important battle which is UAAP Season 81, the team as well as the entire UP community can’t wait to show how grateful they are for 3M’s faith and generosity. The team will fight to show 3M their trust in the team was all worth it. A new winning tradition is here. There’s #nowheretogobutUP

Citi Sees Sustained Economic Growth and Investment Opportunities Despite Global Market Volatility

Citi, the country’s leading foreign bank, remains positive about economic growth in the Philippines despite current global market volatility. At a series of mid-year outlook events, Citigold clients heard expert views on the current market environment and implications for investment strategy shared by Citi and guest speakers.

Citi’s consumer banking head Manoj Varma opened the sessions and explained the importance of understanding risks and opportunities when investing. Varma said, “Citigold clients look for trusted advice and up-to-date information, especially during times of market volatility.”

According to Ramon Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) investment product head, market data shows that we are in the midst of the second longest and third strongest equity bull market since 1970. Recent market volatility has been primarily caused by rising interest rates, potential trade wars, and geo-political tensions.

“Despite market concerns, there appears to be opportunities in technology, financials, healthcare, and industrials due to continued earnings growth in these sectors,” said Tejero.

In the Philippines, Citi believes the country’s economic growth momentum will be sustained in the coming years. Citi forecasts GDP will grow by 6.8% in 2018 and 6.7% in 2019. A primary source of growth will be the government’s infrastructure program.

However, businesses and consumers are showing cautious optimism on the back of ongoing inflation concerns. Citi expects inflation to top 5.3% in the third quarter of 2018 before declining to below 5.0% in the following quarter.

“Investors can focus on diversification across asset classes and geographies and income themes, while watching out for tactical opportunities,” concluded Tejero.

“The world is indeed shrinking and when, where, and how we invest is largely influenced not only by domestic factors but also by global market events,” said Rene Aguirre, Citi Retail Bank head. “As trusted advisors, we help our clients grow and protect their wealth. In recent months, 10 new investment products have been launched and digital innovations continue to be developed, such as the recently unveiled next generation Citi mobile app.”

For more information, visit www.citibank.com.ph.

Tamago and eGG Network present the most exciting Filipino coverage of Dota 2 The International 2018 featuring Royale Rumble and Execration

 - 100 Arcana skins and HyperX gear to be given away to fans throughout the stream on Tamago.

 - All-star lineup of hosts, casters and analysts: Rex Kantatero, Glogo Gaming, Eenpanda, Execration, and more.

 - Fans can access the stream for free exclusively on Tamago.

Tamago in partnership with eGG Network, Rumble Royale and Execration, is bringing the most exciting localised The International 2018 (Ti8) coverage to Dota 2 fans in the Philippines. Spanning across the Group Stage and Main Event, this broadcast will feature an all-star line up of the Philippines' most recognised gaming personalities, such as Rex Kantatero, Gloco Gaming, Eenpanda, Kimo and many more.
Fans will be treated to commentary and analysis by top Filipino hosts and shoutcasters, with familiar faces like Kikaye, Rhys and TrinHil, as well as up and coming casting talents BCY, Young Rafiki and Seth. The analyst panel is populated by Execration’s Kimo, Ewe, Fox and Yaha, so fans can expect top notch analysis from some of the best Dota 2 players in the Philippines.
“Dota 2 fans like us have been following The International since the very beginning. It’s exciting for us to have the opportunity to put together such an exciting production in collaboration with Tamago, along with some of the top names in the local Dota 2 community. We’re also uncovering some up and coming casting talent in the Philippines who we believe will be the next big thing, so be sure to look out for the boys from Unity Casting Team: BCY, Young Rafiki and Seth throughout the stream. We can’t wait to bring this to you, it’s going to be fun!” said Gloco Gaming.

“As we have been casting for some time, it’s super exciting for us to be given an opportunity to cast on a big stage alongside the likes of Rumble Royale and Execration. Be sure to catch us on Tamago,” said BCY.
This broadcast is available for free on Tamago. Fans can simply download the Tamago app from the App Store or Google Play, or watch on desktop by visiting www.tamago.live. Look for room 2098 (Group Stage, Main Event) and 2198 (Group Stage) for Tamago's exclusive coverage, or visit room 808 for eGG Network's official English coverage from Ti8.

About Tamago

Tamago is a live streaming social platform targeted at millennials, and focuses on localised user generated content (UGC) in Southeast Asia namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. Tamago’s interactive features like live video streaming, gifting through virtual spending, real time interactions and creation of content have captured many young users who wish to share their talent to like minded individuals who actively create and consume UGC.