Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) and the MVP Sports Foundation Inc. (MVPSF) have come together in a major private sector initiative that aims to develop more Filipino athletes who can compete on the global sporting stage.
[L-R]: Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) Senior Director for Development Programs Emil de Quiros; AFI President Tony Lambino; Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; MVP Sports Foundation Inc. (MVPSF) Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan; MVPSF President Alfredo Panlilio; and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick Gregorio.
The partnership was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by AFI President Tony Lambino, AFI Senior Director for Development Programs Emil de Quiros, MVPSF President Alfredo Panlilio on September 8, 2025 at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City, with Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and MVPSF Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan. Also present to witness was Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick Gregorio.
In their shared goal to uplift Philippine sports, both foundations have committed to provide support for elite athletes, improve grassroots training and development, and collaboration on advocacy initiatives with government agencies supporting national sports development.
It also synergizes efforts of AFI’s sports development arm Atletang Ayala and MVPSF to develop world-class Filipino athletes and bring national pride to the country in international sports competitions.
“Right now, our next world champions could be anywhere in the Philippines, dreaming about their first international match but finding themselves with limited or even no opportunities to compete. We have an excellent opportunity to be the bridge between their dreams and reality. Let’s work together and show them what’s possible,” said Zobel de Ayala.
“Sports is a metaphor for life. The kind of virtues and qualities you need in sports are the same ones you need in life: hard work, discipline, focus, resilience. We’re happy to be working with the Ayalas in making sports more accessible to Filipinos,” said Pangilinan.
Under the MOU, Atletang Ayala and MVPSF shall “provide comprehensive support to Filipino athletes” in their respective programs and collaborate to “establish sustainable pathways for athlete discovery and development.”
The two parties will also jointly engage government partners to explore opportunities for sports development and find ways to harness the power of sports in developing future leaders who can make a positive social impact.
The first initiative created through this collaboration is the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge, set on September 20 and 21, 2025 at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City. The event, the brainchild and dream of Filipino champion pole vaulter EJ Obiena, will gather the world’s top pole vaulters in an internationally sanctioned competition.
In staging the event, AFI and MVPSF hit the ground running in their partnership as they look forward to future collaborations to jointly uplift Philippine sports.
To learn more about MVPSF, visit www.mvpsf.ph.