PLDT, SMART support PRISAA '09

By Smartsports Staff
April 30, 2009




MVP at PRISAA opening


MVP meets Naga City Mayor Robredo

The leader of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART), Manuel V. Pangilinan, welcomed delegates to the Private Schools Athletic Association National Games 2009 (PRISAA '09) when the athletic meet kicked off recently in Naga City.

PLDT and SMART Chairman Pangilinan, a staunch advocate of sports, was present at the opening of PRISAA '09 along with officials of PRISAA, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and more than 4,000 athletes from the 17 regions of the country.

“Sports is a very good training ground for the youth to become good citizens as sports is rooted on the principles of sportsmanship, determination, hardwork, integrity, honesty, fairplay, and excellence,” said Pangilinan. “Ang tagumpay ng PRISAA ay tagumpay nating lahat.”

“After 50 years, Naga City is proud to once again host the PRISAA National Games, and we worked hand in hand with corporate supporters such as PLDT and SMART to make it as grand as the three Palarong Pambansa the City had previously hosted,” said Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo.

PLDT and SMART helped raise funds for the preparation and implementation of PRISAA '09. Helping Filipino athletes and supporting sports programs are a part of PLDT and SMART's commitment towards fueling sports enthusiasm and enhancing the Philippines’ chance of one day winning an Olympic gold.

This year's PRISAA was joined by all 17 regions of the country. “We recognize and appreciate the help of all our commissioners and regional directors, and the support of advocates such as Chairman Pangilinan, in making PRISAA '09 successful,” said PRISAA Chairman Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque.

PRISAA '09 also marked the first time that amateur boxing -- of which Pangilinan became a major benefactor when he accepted the chairmanship of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) -- has been included as a demo sport in the annual event.

During the program, the 12M-peso cash prize previously pledged by Pangilinan for the first Olympic Gold in boxing was cited by Chairman Duque as another motivation for Filipino athletes to give their best and look forward to the 2012 London Olympics.

When asked about his own motivation, Pangilinan said, “We believe that sports development is essential to national development. The qualities that one needs to be successful in sports are also the qualities that one needs to be successful in life—diligence, discipline, commitment, and focus.”

At the program, SMART also gave away original DVDs of the "Tropa ng Tagumpay" documentary to participating schools. The documentary, chronicling the trials and victory of the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the recently concluded PBA All-Filipino Cup, aims to inspire and uplift the morale of aspiring Filipino athletes.

After the program, SMART treated the athletes to a welcome party at Plaza Quezon in Naga City, as a local band played party music and cellphones were raffled off for the athletes.

Featured events in PRISAA include basketball, volleyball, football, baseball, softball, badminton, sepak takraw, tennis, table tennis, chess, athletics, taekwondo, karatedo, dance, swimming, and boxing as demo.