Adobo Cup 5-a-side tilt under way

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-four teams from various advertising agencies and private corporations vie in the Adobo Magazine’s annual 5-a-side football tournament to be held in partnership with Globe Telecom’s prepaid business today at The Circuit, Makati City.

Now on its seventh year, the Adobo Cup will banner Globe Prepaid’s Football Para Sa Bayan campaign, a grassroots football development program that uses the sport of football to help promote athletic excellence and educational opportunities for underprivileged youth.

“Through the inclusion of Football Para sa Bayan in Adobo Cup, we are confident that we can create strong awareness within the private sector on the importance of football as a tool to transform lives. Hopefully, we can work hand-in-hand in encouraging more children to stay in school, aspire for higher marks, and be in a position to vie for scholarships both athletic and academic,” said Issa Cabreira, vice president for Globe Prepaid Business which focuses primarily on young adults.

The partnership between Globe and Adobo firms up support for the existing community beneficiary of the program, Futkal FC, a non-profit organization that aims to promote football in the Philippines at the grassroots level. This year, proceeds from the Adobo Cup will go to the Field of Hope, an initiative of  FutKal that aims to help rebuild the lives of Typhoon Haiyan survivors through football.

Globe will also donate football training equipment to Futkal FC, a vital requirement to jumpstart a grassroots football program in a new community.

Company employees, likewise, volunteered to join the football tournament as members of Globe internal football club called Globe FC which helps create a culture of giving back among the employees.

Spearheading Globe Football Para Sa Bayan is Chieffy Caligdong, Azkals player and current member of the Green Archers United FC UFL Team. The program has catered to more than 6,000 children around the country since its launch last year and has already extended full college athletic scholarships to two of the best players in the community clubs.