MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen top-caliber Filipino athletes made it to the list of individuals joining Ayala Foundation’s Atletang Ayala program, which supports their sports training while offering opportunities for career development in the Ayala Group.
This year’s Atletang Ayala batch represents a diverse set of athletes who have shown immense promise and have made a mark in national and international competitions, including the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Joanie Delgaco, who was the first female rower to represent the Philippines in the Olympics in Paris a few months back, said: “Atletang Ayala will help me a lot in terms of extra support for my training here and abroad. It will also help me as a professional in the Ayala Group, in terms of new skills and knowledge imparted by the program.”
Allain Ganapin, who represented the country in taekwondo at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, added: “I see that the Atletang Ayala program will help us in training, conditioning, and nutrition, and will bring us to world-level competitions so that we can become an Olympic and Paralympic medalist in the future.”
Aside from Delgaco and Ganapin, other athletes selected for the Atletang Ayala program are Amparo Acuña, shooting; Kurt Barbosa, taekwondo (Tokyo Olympics 2021); Jason Baucas, wrestling; Abby Bidaure, archery; Baby Canabal, taekwondo; Janna Catantan, fencing; Dave Cea, taekwondo; Allaine Cortey, fencing; Laila Delo, taekwondo; John Ferrer, judo; Veronica Garces, taekwondo; Leah Jhane Lopez, judo; Noelito Jose Jr., fencing; Nathaniel Perez, fencing; Franchette Quiroz, shooting; Jonathan Reaport, archery; and Sammuel Tranquilan, fencing.
Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, AC Mobility CEO, who welcomed the athletes at a special event held at the Ayala headquarters in Makati City, said: “Through the Atletang Ayala program, the Ayala Group seeks to inspire more Filipinos to pursue their athletic dreams and bring the nation together through sports.”
Added Ayala Foundation president Tony Lambino: “Atletang Ayala is the group’s investment in the next generation of sports leaders who will influence and inspire others to excel in whatever field they choose.”