A new kind of tennis

Tennis fans in the Philippines trooped to the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City recently to witness history.

The International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) brought together the world’s greatest tennis stars for an epic showdown in its four franchise countries: the Philippines, Singapore, India and the United Arab Emirates.

These four countries made the IPTL the biggest, most spectacular sporting event in the country with over 20 tennis icons and game-changing rules. No more deuces. Players can be changed mid-game. A player can use one “double happiness point” for two points in a crucial stage of a match. It was a new concept for tennis…and it was launched in Manila!

The four-nation tournament kicked off in the Philippines at the Mall of Asia Arena with powerful broadband PLDT HOME Fibr powering the event.

PLDT vice president and HOME marketing head Gary Dujali said, “This is the first ever international tennis competition featuring worldwide tennis superstars. It is our pride and joy to present this prestigious sporting event with the IPTL. This is another opportunity for us to reaffirm our dedication to provide top-notch sports entertainment experiences for our consumers.”

It was a dream come true for tennis fans to see (and luckily have a photo op with) their favorite tennis stars. This is the first time that such superstars of tennis both past and present came to the country for a competition.

Personalities spotted at the event included The Philippine STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, EDSA Shangri-La general manager Patrick Schaub, Karla Chiongbian-Alegrado, Maricris Brias, Anton Gonzalez, Mon Gonzalez and MVP Group of companies media bureau head Mike Toledo. The three-day event was a blast and look at my photos to see who were there!

We certainly can’t wait for next year’s IPTL in Manila!

(For more information on PLDT HOME Fibr, visit pldthome.com/fibr or call 101-3427.)

Be a Lifesaver

A different kind of gift-giving was organized by Sangobion in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross called “Be a Lifesaver,” which was held at the SM Fairview Activity Center. 

Hundreds gathered to donate their healthy blood in order to help meet the supply needed during lean months. By participating in the blood drive, the volunteers donated blood as an essential lifeline to help save hundreds of lives.

About 20 to 30 percent of the country’s blood supply is provided by the Red Cross, and 2,000 to 2,500 units are needed in hospitals across the country daily.

This project was the culmination of Sangobion’s year-long campaign called “Go Love Life,” which encourages women to take care of themselves and their health.

Guest Kelly Misa-Fernandez said, “This is an amazing thing for women to do. It’s empowering to know that by doing something simple even just once a year, we can already help save lives.”

Our blood is essential to our health, which is why it’s important to keep it free from iron deficiency. Paleness, fatigue and lack of focus and concentration are telltale signs of iron deficiency anemia, which can be prevented by taking an iron supplement like Sangobion daily. Sangobion has ferrous gluconate, an organic iron that is better absorbed by the body.

Each capsule is chocolate-scented that leaves no metallic after-taste and contains essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, folic acid, Vitamin B12, copper and manganese to build healthy red blood cells and immune system. It also contains sorbitol, which acts as an anti-constipation agent that generally occurs in iron supplementation. 

(For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SangobionGoLoveLife.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.) can donate blood.