Januarius Holdings Inc. (JHI) and subsidiary STATS Technical Sportswear again threw their support behind the UP Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) for UAAP Season 87, ensuring that they will continue to sponsor the team’s overseas training camps like the ones they have had in Serbia, Korea, the US and Japan.

It will also stay as the team’s official outfitter, a role it has played since UAAP Season 80.

JHI chairman and CEO JJ Atencio signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (UP OASD) Director Bo Perasol, nowheretogobutUP chairman Jed Eva, and UPMBT manager Atty. Agaton Uvero last August 16, at the Executive House in UP Diliman.

As part of the renewed partnership, the UPMBT will also get to use JHI and STATS’ Vald performance equipment that will assess the athletes’ progress and performance in an accurate, data-informed decision.

“It has been gratifying to see how the players are preparing for Season 87 with their recent training camp in Korea where they faced the top ball clubs We want to keep them battle-ready physically, mentally, and emotionally. That’s why we decided to also provide them with state-of-the-art equipment that will help manage and improve their performance and well-being,” Atencio said.

At the event, Atencio also announced the partnership with the UP OASD to provide training and official game jerseys to other UP varsity teams.

“First of all, we want to thank JJ for continuing to believe in our basketball program and for supporting the Fighting Maroons all these years. Now, he has even extended his support to other UP varsity teams,” Perasol said.

“We have seen how big the impact is on our players and teams to have the backing of sponsors like JJ and the support of the community. Our teams will be so proud to wear those uniforms and represent the university in the UAAP and other tournaments. We are all grateful to JHI and STATS for the help they extend to our athletes,” the OASD Director added.

“JJ Atencio has long been a believer and a partner of the Fighting Maroons. He’s been supporting the team’s overseas camps since 2017 and we appreciate him very much. He is not just a supporter, he is a treasured friend,” said UPMBT manager Atty. Uvero

The top three finishers in the men's open class.

PalawanPay, the country's fastest-growing e-wallet from the leading pawning and remittance company under the Palawan Group of Companies, successfully hosted the PalawanPay Marathon recently at Mendoza Park in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

This year's marathon attracted runners of varying levels, backgrounds, and cultures. While many participants have joined for the fun and experience, several seasoned runners used the event to achieve personal records. About 1,751 runners participated in five distance categories: 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K. This year's turnout improved from last year's edition, which saw over 1,000 participants.

"We are so proud of this event because, for us, the success of the PalawanPay Marathon allows us to form a stronger relationship with our customers and partners," said Bobbit Castro, Chief Operations Officer of Palawan Group of Companies. "This is also a great opportunity for us to send the message that PalawanPay is for everyone and that it's a digital wallet that you can depend on because it's fast, convenient, and most importantly, secure."

Three race categories had prizes for the winners. In the 42K All Nations Men's category, Eric Chepsiror, David Kipsang, and Jerome Casinillo were the top three finishers. In the 42K All Nations Women's category on the other hand, Artjoy Torregosa, Maricar Camacho, Lesly, and Amm Wabingga were the first three to cross the finish line. The top 3 finishers in this category took home cash prizes of P25,000, P20,000, and P15,000, respectively. Lastly, in the 21K race, Mc Xavier Martinez and Jila Antonio bagged the top prize of P15,000 in the men's and women's categories, respectively.

With the successful staging of the PalawanPay Marathon, Castro has pledged that next year’s event will be even bigger and more exciting. “We’re confident that next year’s race will attract even more participants from across the Philippines and abroad. PalawanPay remains committed to delivering reliable, fast, and efficient financial services while introducing new features relevant to our growing customer base. Just as we offer hassle-free service through our app, pawnshops, and remittance centers, we aim to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for all marathon participants, ensuring they have the best possible race experience.”

As a leading provider of money remittance and pawning services, the Palawan Group of Companies remains committed to advancing financial inclusion and helping Filipinos improve financially. The PalawanPay Marathon exemplifies the company’s win-win approach, supporting inclusive sports and promoting community wellness while reinforcing its dedication to providing reliable and affordable financial services.

ABOUT PALAWAN GROUP OF COMPANIES:

The Palawan Group of Companies comprises products and services such as Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, Palawan ProtekTODO, Palawan Credit, and PalawanPay. A brand trusted by Filipinos for 38 years, PGC  is one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country.  With its strength in remittance and pawning services, the company is the market leader in the industry and has over 25,000 branches, Pera Padala outlets, and PalawanPay Money Shops nationwide.

Palawan Group of Companies offers pawnbroking services, domestic and international remittances, microinsurance, bill payment, electronic mobile phone loading, cash-in of e-wallets, money exchange, ATM withdrawal, and cash disbursements.

Palawan Group of Companies introduced PalawanPay, an e-wallet app that lets you send and receive remittances anytime, anywhere. PalawanPay app is the company’s latest digital solution for faster, safer, and easier transactions that gives users access to other financial services such as bill payment, e-cellphone load top-ups,  and scan-to-pay QRPH codes. The app now features integrated functionality for pawn renewal and international remittances.

 Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, and PalawanPay are supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. For more information, go to Palawan Pawnshop and PalawanPay Websites.

Carlos Yulo expresses his gratitude for his his father's support.

Cynthia Carrion, the accommodating president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), offered only one but could be the most heartwarming advice to Paris Olympic double gold medalist gymnast Carlos ‘Caloy’ Yulo – stay humble.

The Golden Flippers Swim Club coached by Reynante Panlaqui emerged as the overall champion in the Swim Battle ‘Splash and Dash Distance Swim Series’ recently at the world-class Muntinlupa Aquatic Center indoor pool in Muntinlupa City.

The Golden Flippers tankers bested 53 teams in the second of three series meet organized by the Swim League Philippines (SLP) headed by Fred Ancheta in close coordination with the City Government of Muntinlupa under Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

Around 503 swimmers from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region have joined in the tourney as part of SLP’s contribution to the grassroots sport’s development program of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) – the country’s aquatic body.

The Bulacan Water Dragons Swim Team of coach Rafael Celso placed second followed by Betta Caloocan Swimming Team of coach Angie Evangelista. The top 7 teams included Carmona Angelfish Swim Team by coach Mae Carmona, PH BEST Elite Swim by coach Jeremiah Paez, Aquasonic by coach Erwin Evangelista, and Turumba Guadalupe by coach Emmanuel Abin.

Five swimmers – Kim RJ De Castor, Rod Anton Von Caniedo, Jeffrey Luis Chico, and Miguel Fallarcuna -- were received Special Awards.

Likewise, the Most Outstanding Swimming (MOS) Awardees in the Open Class (19-over) are Alarie Somuelo and Raven Henry, while MOS in Class A is Maya Aglibut, Dominique Savilla, Audrina Victor, Jordane Porsche Sales, Say Henry, Ermalaine Matienzo, Tanya Mae Orijuela, Alarie Somuelo Jairus De Leon, Ethan Joseph Parungao, Alister Arnaldo, Ethan Manuel Elimos, Aishel Evangelista, Gerald Esquivel, Kiko Mirasol, Raven Henry.

In Class B, the MOS awardees are Izella Caitley Geonigo, Princess Lhayrish Santos, Xia Veniz Ysabelle Calara, Ma. Beatrice Tabunar, Mignonette Legaspi, Jazmine Lorraine Cueto, Apple Margaret Abin, Beloved Kent Mendoza, Marcus Isaiah Solsona, Josef Benedict Panlilio, Shawn Daniel Hernandez, Jeane Patrick Llanes, and Kent Frederick Geraldizo.

The MOS awardee in Class C is Yassi Hosanna Mendoza, Keziah Amanda Davadilla, Dhane Ashley Murray, Gabriella Mayola, Shiela Danna Santiago, Danica May Aquino, Anika Bette Reese Miranda, Zachary Cole Bordeos, Elijah Avila, Gen Aglibut, Arthur Francesco Montesa, Alekhine Jonas Austria, Iñigo Ezekiel Manabat and Frank Johncent Preagola.

Next in line according to Ancheta is the holding of the 3rd Susan Papa Legacy Cup on August 17 at the Philippine Columbian Association.

Photo: PAI Secretary General Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain (second from left) and Speedo Vice President-Operations Manish Mahtani proudly show the signed contract for the partnership for the PAI National Trials Swimming Championship which started on Thursday (August 15). Also in the photo are PAI executive Director Anthony Reyes and Speedo Sales and Marketing Manager Ms. Mayleen Valentino.

Route for Yulo's Heroes' Parade.

A Heroes’ Parade for members of the Philippine Olympic Team is set today (August 14) from the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) ground to the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) along Vito Cruz, St, Malate, Manila – just a stone throws away from the Leveriza neighborhood of double gold medal winner Carlos ‘Caloy’ Yulo.

Contrary to the earlier report, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) clarified that the 7.7-kilometer motorcade was set on Wednesday afternoon not Tuesday to give the Olympians enough time to rest.

Yulo and members of the Philippine squad arrived in Manila Tuesday afternoon via a chartered flight from Paris-Dubai to Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. They went straight to Malacanang to personally receive the cash incentives from President Ferdinand ‘BongBong’ Marcos, Jr.

The parade with close coordination with the City Government of Manila will begin just outside the Aliw Theater, then pass through the stretched of Roxas Boulevard, then Padre Burgos Avenue, Finance Road, Taft and Quirino Avenues, and Adriatico Street before it ends at Philippine Sports Commission ground inside the famed RMSC.

Yulo made history for the Philippines becoming the first Filipino to win two gold medals in the gymnastics event in the Olympics dubbed ‘The Greatest Show’ on earth. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz was the first Filipino woman to win an Olympic gold in the post-COVID 2021 Tokyo Games.

Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas added a bronze medal each for the Philippines.

“A job well done,” stressed Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Chairman Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino.

“We’re the best performer in Southeast Asia. “We wanted more but with two gold and two bronze medals, should we ask for more from Paris?” he added.

For his part, PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann hailed Yulo’s performance and the rest of the Philippine Team as ‘the greatest ever’.

“These medals are just one part of the legacy we've built. With our recent performance in Paris, we have proved that our sporting success is sustainable and expanding,” said Bachmann.

“Our agenda has proven effective, as shown by the global victories we achieved.  We can support the rise of new talents to reach the highest levels and produce world-class athletes which will continuously connect our country's name within the international sporting limelight,” he added.