Manila: The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has agreed to promote the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship (MWCH), which the country will host in September. The partnership was launched Tuesday via a festive train trip from the busy Recto Station to the LRT-2's depot in Santolan in Pasig City.
According to Philippines News Agency, starting Tuesday, commuters using Line 2 will see promotional materials for the FIVB MWCH inside and outside of the trains. LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera announced this initiative during a brief program attended by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairperson Patrick Gregorio and Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Confederation (PNVF) president Ramon 'Tats' Suzara.
"We have specifically designed one train [advertising], we did a train wrap and when you go inside the train, you'll see promotional materials. It's one of a kind for a very, very special occasion," said Cabrera. The event also featured FIVB MWCH ambassadors and Alas Pilipinas Men standouts Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, along with members of the Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball team led by Sisi Rondina. This initiative comes 59 days ahead of the world championship set to take place from September 12 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Suzara expressed gratitude for the partnership with the LRTA, stating it will effectively and intensively promote this major global event. He also acknowledged the presence of the Philippine fans club of the popular K-Pop group, BOYNEXTDOOR, who will highlight the opening ceremony following the Alas Pilipinas-Tunisia first match on September 12 at the SM MOA Arena.
PSC Chairperson Gregorio shared his enthusiasm about the event, noting his background in tourism and his belief in sports tourism as a key driver for global tourism events. He remarked, "I'm very happy to be part of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. My background besides sports is tourism, and I am a believer of sports tourism because the biggest tourism events in the world are sports events. This is a prime example. This is a beautiful example."
Next in the countdown to the world championship is the official launch, dubbed 'Set Na Natin 'To! An Electrifying Launch,' scheduled for July 18. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the official program starting at 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
