Cover Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub’s state-of-the-art indoor gym facilities
Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub’s state-of-the-art indoor gym facilities
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The Atletang Ayala programme aims to provide Olympic hopefuls holistic support to achieve their fullest potential
Having supported athletes in the past, the Ayala Group discovered the need for a sustainable programme to fill in the gaps in the local sports community. Exemplifying the conglomerate’s commitment to nation-building, the Ayala Center for Excellence in Sports (ACES) launched last March 2022 the Atletang Ayala programme, which seeks to assist the country’s emerging Olympic bets with healthcare services, access to state-of-the-art sports facilities and, most importantly, career opportunities. Through the programme, Ayala aims to be part of the tedious journey of Filipino athletes more strategically and with a lasting impact.
“It’s a way for us to support these athletes when they are just starting their sports career, as we believe that’s when they need assistance the most,” says Francisco Romero Milan, managing director and corporate resources group head. “What’s impressive about these athletes is their show of passion, energy and engagement.”
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Above Francisco Romero Milan, Ayala Group’s managing director and corporate resources group head
Francisco Romero Milan, Ayala Group’s managing director and corporate resources group head
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The first roster of Atletang Ayala includes Jasmine Alkhaldi, a two-time Olympic swimmer and Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) gold medallist; Andrea Robles, the first Filipino gold medallist at the Indoor Archery World Series; Prince Alejo, the youngest nationally-ranked karateka; Pia Bidaure, a world-ranked archer and SEAG medallist; Xandi Chua, nationally-ranked swimmer and SEAG silver medallist; Nat Perez, the Philippines’ top foil fencer; Abby Bidaure, world-ranked national archer; and Noel Jose, world-ranked fencer.
Above Five of the eight national athletes under the pilot batch of the Atletang Ayala programme spend time at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite
Five of the eight national athletes under the pilot batch of the Atletang Ayala programme spend time at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite
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These athletes, employed at different member companies of the Ayala Group, maintain flexible schedules in their day job. This gives them time to access the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite and other esteemed sports facilities around Metro Manila for their training.
Robles, for instance, works as an employee engagement specialist at Globe Telecom. Pia is a cadet engineer-in-training at ACEN, while her younger sister Abby is an HR associate-in-training at AC Motors. Chua works as an HR associate at Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. An inspiring entrepreneur Perez is now a management trainee at Ayala Multipurpose Cooperative. Jose serves as a finance associate at AC Motors. Alejo also works at ACEN as a cadet engineer-in-training. And Alkhaldi exercises her academic expertise as an ACEN programme associate working closely with Milan and the other athletes.
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Prince Alejo, the youngest nationally ranked karateka
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“For this pilot batch, we promoted our call for applications via social media and received 50 applicants nationwide. We screened their interests, educational background and sports, trying to find out where they are in their careers,” Milan says.
The list was narrowed down to 15 whom executives from the Ayala Group interviewed. Milan says the process is similar to hiring their employees but with the added element of sports.
“As full-time employees, they are learning from these professional companies and highly demanding jobs. They also enjoy the camaraderie of colleagues and the mentorship of sports and business coaches. Moreover, they have a venue to blend both their professional and athletic careers,” he says.
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Above IAAF standard 400m track oval
IAAF standard 400m track oval
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Above The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub is also a popular destination for cyclists
Above An Olympic-size swimming pool fit to train athletes set to compete in international competitions
The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub is also a popular destination for cyclists
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The programme was not designed to be one-sided. Milan continues, “These athletes also organise projects to contribute even more to the Ayala Group. Jasmine, for one, organised a swimming clinic to teach Ayala employees and their children. We would never think of doing such employee engagement activities without them.” In turn, the employees of the Ayala Group have been invited to participate in crowdfunding activities to show their support for these athletes, an invitation many of them accepted. The athletes also join leadership training and roundtable conversations with middle managers and executives.
The opportunity to develop one’s education and professional career is challenging for Filipino athletes. Top-grade sports facilities and holistic assistance are still in the works by national associations of various sports and the private sector—and they do not come cheap.
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Above The pool was the perfect venue for the 30th SEAG’s underwater hockey competition in 2019
Above This 50m pool has ten lanes designed according to FINA standards
The pool was the perfect venue for the 30th SEAG’s underwater hockey competition in 2019
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Alejo agrees with how much the programme has helped the athletes holistically. At the same time, the elder Bidaure appreciates how it has also helped them gain confidence in carrying themselves in the corporate world. Alkhaldi agrees and adds that the programme has been instrumental in their financial security. “This enables us to focus on our training without thinking about where our income would come from or go to,” she says.
Atletang Ayala for Robles addresses the anxiety about post-athletic careers. She notes that Ayala, the country’s largest conglomerate, provides the best environment to build their professional careers as early as now. The younger Bidaure concurs with Robles and acknowledges that it takes a village to help at least one athlete. With these, the pilot batch of Ayala’s programme agrees that with the private sector’s help, the country could achieve so much in protecting the future of our athletes who tirelessly give us pride and honour.
Milan tours Tatler around Ayala Vermosa, the new haven of national and international sports events. It prides itself as the first sports facility of its kind, featuring a FINA-standard Olympic-size swimming pool, an IAAF standard 400m track oval, and a complete indoor training facility equipped with a sports science laboratory. On the rise is a dormitory building for athletes.
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Above 1,800 elite runners participated at the Vermosa Green Run last July 2022 held at the world-class track oval of Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub
1,800 elite runners participated at the Vermosa Green Run last July 2022 held at the world-class track oval of Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub
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“We’ve always wanted to help professional sports here in the country, but we couldn’t find an accessible sports hub with Olympic standards and where athletes could train and compete,” Milan says.
He adds that although they’re starting with the basics, the long-term vision is to make the venue world-class. The sports hub in the Ayala land estate at Vermosa enjoys an accessible location, especially for athletes, aspiring students, and even residents nearby. In collaboration with Healthway, the Ayala Group’s healthcare arm, Milan says the plan is to establish a sports health centre at Vermosa catering to nutritional and medical needs.
Not to romanticise the athletes’ resilience, but Milan points out that Alejo recently needed medical attention due to his dislocated shoulder. Yet, he pursued training, competed, and won. Despite the odds, the athletes have their eyes fixed on the goal. They still emerge victorious even if they’re not in their best condition. Career-wise, Milan asserts that one would never see these athletes tired or pessimistic. “With the optimistic drive to connect with people and work as team players, they bring positive energy to their offices,” Milan says.
“Because these athletes, not only these eight but everyone else in the country, are competing for us and continuously inspiring us to raise the Filipino flag in the highest levels of competitiveness, we must give these athletes holistic assistance,” Milan says. “It is now, when their athletic careers are starting to blossom, that they need us the most and not when they have only won us several gold medals. It is now, not yesterday and not tomorrow, when you see somebody having the potential that you begin investing in their future,” he concludes.
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
