One Meralco Foundation, Philippine Marines hold ‘Football for Peace’ clinic

Press Release

Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club (LMSFC) Midfielder & Team Captain James Younghusband samples off a heading drill to children participating in the Football for Peace 2016 Football Clinic held at the University of Makati Track & Oval Field last April 26.

MAKATI CITY -- More than 200 children mostly from conflict areas in Mindanao participated in a football clinic held Tuesday, April 26, at the University of Makati Football Stadium.

The “Football for Peace” clinic is an initiative of One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the social development arm of Meralco, in partnership with the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), and is part of the annual “Football for Peace Festival” which runs from April 23 to May 1 this year.

Meralco’s UFL football team, the Loyola Meralco Sparks football club, facilitated the half-day training alongside volunteers from the Meralco Football Club composed of Meralco employees.

Each year, the festival brings hundreds of children from various provinces in the ARMM and other areas where the Philippine Marines and Philippine Army are stationed to Metro Manila to learn football and compete with various football clubs here.

Started in Sulu by the Philippine Marines in 2011, the Football for Peace advocacy utilizes football as a tool to instill peace-loving values of sportsmanship, camaraderie, teamwork and discipline in the minds of young athletes, especially those who have been exposed to the armed conflict in Mindanao.

This year’s participants come from Sulu, Basilan, Sultan Kudarat, Misamis Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City and Palawan. Apart from football, the kids will embark on an educational tour which includes a visit to science museums, manufacturing plants, educational institutions, historical landmarks, media outlets, among others.

Phil and James Younghusband of the Loyola Meralco Sparks FC look on as a participant of the Football for Peace 2016 Football Clinic applies the techniques he learned from his mentors.

On the last day of the festival, the kids will be grouped into teams and will compete with various football clubs from Metro Manila and other provinces in Luzon. The exhibition games will take place at the football field of the Philippine Marine Corps general headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

 

 “It is a great honor for us to be chosen by the Philippine Marine Corps as their partner in this inspiring initiative. We have been supporting ‘Football for Peace’ since 2012 and we are committed to sustaining this valuable cause. Our shared belief of building the skills of our young people to become responsible, productive and peace-loving citizens will hopefully lead us to a better country.  OMF's participation in the Football for Peace program is a concrete expression of our commitment to youth development through sports,” said One Meralco President Jeffrey O. Tarayao.

The Story of “Football for Peace”

“Football for Peace” began one afternoon in 2011. Lt Col Stephen L Cabanlet and his fellow members of the Philippine Marine Corps stationed in Sulu decided to play football in a field just outside of their detachment. Intrigued by the “new sport,” the local children gathered around them to observe.

After a while, the soldiers took a break and intentionally left the ball on the field. But when they returned, they saw the children playing with the ball, imitating the way they played the game. The children were so ecstatic that the soldiers couldn’t retrieve their ball. And then an idea popped out from the mind of Lt Col Cabanlet.

If a simple round ball could capture the interest of these young people, then maybe the same could lead them away from the armed conflict and instead, aspire for a better life. “Football for Peace” was born.

Lt Col Cabanlet and his comrades began teaching football to their eager “students” almost every day since, but they made sure to set certain conditions before the children are allowed to play.

“This is our way to somehow instill values in them,” explained Lt Col Cabanlet. “Once you give them the ball, they will just play and not care about the rules. But if you use the ball to get them to obey certain rules, you are imparting in them one of the biggest lessons a person can learn– discipline.”

Beginning with one small team, the soldiers managed to expand the training and organized inter-barangay tournaments. Then other marine detachments from nearby provinces joined in with their own teams which competed with those in Sulu. To formally launch “Football for Peace,” a one-day peace cup was held in Luuk, Sulu in December 2011.

Children participants of the Football for Peace 2016 Football Clinic share lighter moments with children from other regions and some Loyola Meralco Sparks team members.

Inspired by the advocacy of Lt Col Cabanlet and his peers, the Foundation began supporting “Football for Peace” starting with the donation of 500 balls in 2012. In the following years, the Philippine Marines brought the festival to Manila to give the participants a different kind of experience and show them how peace can pave the way for progress. The Foundation, for its part, sponsored a football clinic lead by the Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club and the Meralco Football Club.

Last year, One Meralco Foundation brought the “Football for Peace” clinic to Tawi-Tawi to engage more aspiring athletes from the region, especially those who have not participated in the previous festivals. It was the first time for the clinic to be held in Mindanao.\

Children participants of the Football for Peace 2016 Football Clinic get to practice the moves they learned from the Loyola Meralco Sparks team members.

Coach Simon McMenemy and the Sparks team flew to the province to train not only the kids but also their civilian and military ‘coaches.’ Most of the local coaches did not have formal training in the sport and so, giving them a crash course proved to be beneficial especially to their students. OMF also donated much needed training equipment to the coaches.

PMC, OMF and the Sparks are laying out plans for another football clinic outside of Metro Manila this year.

Jollibee and Delimondo, team sponsors of the Loyola Meralco Sparks, supported the advocacy by providing food and refreshments to the participants and trainers.

Alaska advocates a healthy & active lifestyle with its summer Alaska Power Camps

Press Release

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s 7th National Nutrition Survey in 2008, at least 16 million Filipinos aged 20 and above, and about 2 out of 10 children are overweight. Undernutrition also remains to be a public health concern affecting nearly 3 out 10 children. Also recently, there have been prevalent issues on change in children’s interests and behaviors brought by fast-changing technological environment.

With these alarming concerns, Alaska Milk Corporation is committed to help provide proper nutrition and promote an active lifestyle. Thus every summer, Alaska gathers basketball, football and volleyball enthusiasts through its Alaska Power Camps. The summer sports program inspires both girls and boys to engage in sports.  Moreover, through basketball, football and volleyball, the child does not only improve his/her talent but also acquire proper skills development and formation of the Power Camp values of discipline, determination, hard work, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Distinguished Philippine sports icons will lead the Alaska Power Camps. First, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend and Alaska Aces assistant coach Jeffrey Cariaso will lead a team of basketball coaches.  Second, former professional football player and currently Alaska Football Power Camp Project Director and Alabang Football School, Makati Football School Director, Tomas Lozano will lead the Alaska Football Power Camp. Lastly, Philippine Super Liga volleyball player and former De La Salle University Lady Spikers star volleyball player, Michele Gumabao, will lead a team of volleyball experts in teaching aspiring young girls in the Alaska Volleyball Power Camp.

Alaska continues to encourage children to go out and play by participating in various Alaska sports programs like Alaska Power Camp. For general information about Alaska Milk Corporation visit www.alaskamilk.com, 

For more information about Alaska Milk Corporation Sports Program visit www.playph.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlayPH; 

Twitter: @playph; 

Instagram: @alaskaplayph

For more information about Alaska Power Camp, please visit the following websites: http://alaskapowercamp.com/basketball/2014/

http://alaskapowercamp.com/football/2014/

www.alaskapowercamp.com/volleyball

For inquiries please call 840-4500 local 205 or 209 and look for CK Kanapi-Daniolco, Sports Development Group

20th Alaska Football Cup gathered more than 6,000 players nationwide

Press Release

(Manila, Philippines) The biggest football tournament in the country was held at the Alabang Country Club after Alaska Milk celebrated two decades of commitment to the world’s most popular sport with the holding of the 20th Alaska Football Cup at the Alabang Country Club last weekend.

Alaska Milk President and CEO Wilfred Uytengsu said it was a privilege to hold the biggest and most successful grassroots-development program in the local football scene even as he recalled the tournament’s modest start.

“In 1996, we had 350 players and 25 teams. Today in our 20th anniversary, we held a three-day event in 26 football fields with 6,150 players in 410 teams. In those 20 years we’ve had 12,159 teams of over 58,000 players play 13,800 games with over 40,000 goals scored. We’ve come a long way,” said Uytengsu.

The Alaska CEO praised the dedication of tournament organizer Tomas Lozano and his role in not only growing the tournament but also in discovering some of the best football players in the country who eventually went on to play in the Azkals national football team.

“Over these 20 years we’ve also had the opportunity to have some really fantastic players participate in the event. We are proud to say that many in the ranks of the Azkals have come through the Alaska Cup including Ali Borromeo, Roel Gener Chieffy Caligdong and Amani Aguinaldo,” said Uytengsu.

Alaska Milk encourages sports engagement, as it instills positive values during the early stages of a child’s life.

“Alaska Football Cup is more than just discovering elite players. It’s about promoting teamwork, commitment and dedication. We hope that as players you will keep those characteristics in mind. It’s a privilege to be here to open the 20th Alaska Cup,” said Uytengsu.    

20 years ago, Alaska Milk just wanted something for children that will complement the basketball program and it became bigger and bigger over time. Alaska Football Cup is the country’s biggest football event for young athletes which attracted players of all ages, from as young as six years old. They gathered in one venue to participate in one of the longest-running and most successful grassroots-development programs in the local football scene.

The Alaska Football Cup is the highly anticipated annual football tournament for today’s young athletes with school teams and football clubs from all over the Philippines including Masbate, Baguio, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Davao, Palawan, Legaspi, Laguna, Batangas, Bukidnon, Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac, Ilocos, Bicol, Romblon, Davao Sur, Compostela Valley, Quezon, Cavite, Albay, Pangasinan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mindoro and Metro Manila participating.

Football provides an active alternative for children in place of passive activities such as watching television, surfing the Internet, or spending too much time on social media. The National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) reported that health issues are best addressed by adopting an active lifestyle along with healthy diet, and regular drinking of milk, at least twice daily.

Participating in a sport develops the athletic and social skills of participants through healthy competition among the same age group, while it boosts physical and mental development. Furthermore, engaging in sports instills the values of determination, discipline, hardwork, teamwork and sportsmanship.

If you want to become an athlete too, join Alaska’s sports programs - NUTRITION. ACTION. CHAMPION.

For general information about Alaska Milk Corporation visit www.alaskamilk.com. For general information about the 20th Alaska Football Cup visit www.alaskapowercamp.com/football; Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PlayPH for updates. 

NEWCOMERS ALASKA FC TEAM MAKE THEIR MARK AT THE FC UFL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sandro Reyes of the Makati Alaska FC Team played hard for the Championship at the Finals of the FC UFL League Cup last June 29 at the Emperador Stadium, McKinley Heights against the Loyola Meralco FC Team. The Alaska FC Team is proud to make it to the finals and winning 2^nd place in the Boys 9 and Boys 11 category. Sandro is a scholar of the prestigious FC Barcelona Escola and returned to Manila to reinforce the Alaska FC Team. Become a champion too and join Alaska’s sports programs now! NUTRITION.ACTION CHAMPION.For more information, check out www.alaskamilk.com and live tweets and updates @ALASKAsportshub.

18th Alaska Football Cup continues finest football competition in PH

Press Release

Witness once again the biggest, most eagerly anticipated football tournament in the country when over 300 teams composed of 4,200 players compete in the 18th Alaska Football Cup on December 7 and 8 at the Alabang Country Club Fields, Muntinlupa City.

No other football competition in the country comes close to the Alaska Football Cup which is played in 29 football fields under the supervision of more than 100 referees, which will find more than 2,600 goals scored in more than 700 games.

Alaska promotes positive values of teamwork, cooperation and fair play through sports activities like the football cup. Likewise, Alaska leads in promoting a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition by drinking milk regularly and by engaging in sports.

Football players who are six to 16 years old participate in the Alaska Football Cup coming from all over the Philippines including Metro Manila, Baguio, Olongapo, Angeles City, Tacloban, Naga, Bacolod, Cebu, Palawan, Legaspi, Los Baños, Iloilo and Batangas.

This partnership started in 1995 when Alaska teamed up with former professional international football player Tomas Lozano to create the 1st Alaska Football Cup. Alaska has contributed to the phenomenal growth of amateur football in the country through this annual competition.

Promoting the participation of the youth in football along with other sports like basketball and triathlon through the Alaska Power Camps exemplifies the company’s commitment to nation building through nutrition and sports.

The Alaska Football Cup has been widely acknowledged for its outstanding contribution to youth sports and development in the country, particularly in the grassroots level.

For more information, check out the Alaska Football Cup website, www.alaskamilk.com and live tweets and updates @ALASKAsportshub

Alaska Football Cup

Given the growing issues on health as well as the fast-changing technological environment which leads to the change in children’s interests and behavior or sedentary lifestyle, Alaska Milk believes that there is a need to reinforce its thrust in leading a healthy lifestyle not just by drinking milk but also by leading an active lifestyle.

2013 is the 18^th year of Alaska Football Cup and this event is the biggest football competition in the Philippines. With over 300 teams playing 4,200 players, 29 football fields, more than 100 referees, more than 700 games and 2,600 goals. Participants as young as six (6) years old up to 16 could participate in this much awaited event. They came from different parts of the Philippines such as Metro Manila, Baguio, Olongapo, Angeles City, Tacloban, Naga, Bacolod, Cebu, Palawan, Legaspi, Los Banos, Iloilo, Batangas and a lot more. Some came from abroad.

FCB Escola Camp tie up with FCBESCOLA Camp and Alaska Milk

Press Release

During the FC Barcelona Camp Philippines press conference last September 27, 2013, FC Barcelona Escola Director General Xevi Marce gave Alaska Milk Corporation a customized football jersey as a token of appreciation for their recent FCB Escola Camp tie up earlier this year. A second training camp set on December 18 to 22, 2013 at the world-class football turf in McKinley Hill Football Field (Emperador Stadium) was also announced during the press conference. For more information, log on to www.fcbescolaphilippines.com or www.alaskamilk.com.ph

ALASKA TIES UP WITH FCBESCOLA FOOTBALL CAMP, SPONSORS FUTKALERO CHILDREN FROM TONDO

Press Release

What is better than playing against one of the best football clubs in the world? Being trained by them.

Never in a million years did they thought that they will be able to see the world’s #1 ranked football club, FCBarcelona, in action, much less interact with them. But these promising young football talents from Tondo did just that and more. Thanks to the sponsorship of Alaska Milk Corporation, the five Futkaleros— Champ Cyrus Wico, Jonas Lorens Lavarias, John David Espiritu, Maria Rochel Mendaňo, and Roger Batiugas— were able to train under the FCBarcelona coaches Jordi Blanco and Jose Moratalla during the FCBEscola Philippines Barcelona Soccer Camp for the youth, a sports workshop that did not only aim to teach Filipino kids the rudiments and techniques in the game but also share with them the FCBarcelona values of teamwork and hard work. 

“Alaska has been there from the very start, even at that time when football was not very popular. It has been supporting the grassroots development of the sport and in training players. The annual Alaska Cup, is in fact, the biggest cup in the country, with thousands of players in a single day. So we were not surprised that Alaska lent their support to this project,” says Michael Reyes, organizer of the camp and Team Socceroo’s captain.

Training under World’s Best

Excitement lit up the eyes of the five Futkaleros as they showed their moves to the coaches. They believe that the camp is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve their game, learn some new skills and incorporate a new strategy into their play. According to Reyes, the style of the Futkaleros is more freestyle. “I have seen them play and their commitment to the game is impressive. I know that they practice every day. They’re fast. They’re agile. Participating in the camp will help them develop their play more.”

What kids will take away from the five-day camp is not just technique but the values: that football is not about winning but in playing your best and playing with your team. Steven Chua, Operations Director for FCBEscola Asia Pacific, relates, “I remembered a FCBarcelona camp in Singapore that we organized. After the camp, I asked one of the kids what he learned. He told me he learned the reasons why he has to move here, why he has to make a pass. Before, he just does it because he has to without even knowing why. He also learned that football is not about winning but playing the game.”

Alaska Milk Corporation brings FCBEscola, the world’s No. 1 ranked football club here in the Philippines to help develop children through sports programs such as the FCBEscola Barcelona Camp. The FCBEscola Barcelona Camp has already begun training kids last April 17 and will continue until April 21 at the Ayala Alabang Country Club.

More than a hundred kids, 6 to 14 years old, signed up for the camp held recently at the Alabang Country Club. They did not even mind the extra-ordinarily hot day, showing off their skills on the field, all of them eager to train under the very best in the world. World famous players Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi were all products of FCBEscola

Built not as important as technique

According to the organizers, the Futkaleros have the typical Filipino built, which unlike basketball, is suited to football. Filipinos are not as tall as other kids but they compensate with their incredible speed and agility. FCBarcerlona has members who have similar built but are still able to excel. In football, built is not as important as technique.

“The style of football of FCBarcelona is the ‘most fit’ and ‘most matched’ [style] with Filipinos. They do not rely on size. In other sports, if you are big, you’d be a better player. In football, we rely more on technique, the passing, how the team plays. FCBarcelona’s style of football is not very individualistic. It emphasizes team play,” says Nicholas Reyes, FCBEscola camp organizer.

Wanted: Healthy body, good attitude and passion

There is also no age requirement, just a healthy body, good attitude and passion for the sport. Reyes emphasized good nutrition at an early age “as this will give children an edge in the sport.” Both exercise and proper diet are essential, especially to the significant number of Filipino kids, who have been found to suffer from undernutrition and overweight problems (National Nutrition Survey of FNRI-DOST, 2008). It is recommended that they eat a balanced set of meals and do more physical activity, which Alaska Milk Corporation has been advocating through their sports programs.

For more information, log on to http://www.fcbescolaphilippines.com and www.alaskamilk.com.ph