MILO® held its Gathering of Champions last October 11, an initiative bringing together over 60 sports partners, clinics, and institutions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who are one in the cause in rallying the nation through sports.
MILO®, being at the forefront of uplifting Filipino families to be more active and supporting grassroots athletes, mounted the Gathering of Champions as a way to give thanks and recognize the various milestones of its many sports partners as it ushered in its 60th anniversary in 2024.
Sports partners such as the Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Philippine Olympic Commission (POC) were present at the event and touched on their milestones in further paving the way for sports inclusivity and accessibility in the country.
“It takes a nation to build champions. In this case, it takes MILO® to build grassroots programs that will eventually go and develop champions […] from barangays to [going] beyond, in terms of support and programs [in which they have] participated. [The support of MILO®] extends beyond athletes, [as MILO®] supports every child,” said Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Matthew Gaston.
Commissioner Gaston also shared the milestones the PSC reached in 2024 together with MILO® through this year’s iteration of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Games, with MILO® showing support by providing nourishing energy that fueled grassroots athletes throughout the games. The IP Games has been mounted so far in Ilocos Sur and Negros Occidental and has upcoming legs in Palawan and General Santos.
Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, Richard Bachmann, also shares, “We believe in the dedication of our current icons, whose impact uplifts aspirations of those still at the grassroots level. I would like to extend my gratitude to MILO® Philippines, for being one of our partners in promoting physical wellness and health. Let us work even harder to build more victories and discover new grassroots talents who will become our future flag-bearers. Happy 60th anniversary to MILO® Philippines!”
All partners were presented with a trophy paying homage to their contributions to Philippine sports, all of whom contributed to the over 2 million Filipinos engaged throughout various disciplines, from taekwondo, sepak takraw, and basketball, to football, swimming, and more.
Overall, the event sought not only the many achievements each champion reached in 2024 but also everyone’s shared efforts in championing both the goal of MILO® and theirs – to improve sports accessibility and inclusivity.
Veronica Cruz, Senior Vice President and Business Executive Officer of Beverages and Confectionery at Nestlé Philippines, shares, “Across PWDs, women in sports, Indigenous peoples and grassroots athletes, we are proud to have fostered strong partnerships with institutions in providing a bridge for more children and Pinoys to get into sports.”
At the event, MILO® also bared their plans for 2025, which include even more robust initiatives to continue rallying Filipinos to be active and get into sports, such as increased National MILO® Marathon legs and a wider footprint across their grassroots sports initiatives, which include MILO® Barangay Liga, MILO® Safe Swim, and continued initiatives together with the celebrated organizations.
MILO® remains steadfast in its commitment to provide nourishing energy to fuel athletes’ bodies and empower them to be at their best not just in sports, but in life. By supporting children at a young age and providing the nutrition to sustain their growth and development, the brand looks forward to further enriching partnerships to mold more champion journeys.