Aboitiz Football Cup comes to Davao

DAVAO CITY – The Aboitiz Football Cup (AFC) expands its reach to Davao City. This marks a significant milestone for the longest-running grassroots football tournament in the Philippines, now bringing its legacy of sports development and community building to one of the country’s most dynamic urban centers. The first-ever AFC Davao festival leg will be held over the weekend of October 26 to 27, 2024, at the Tionko Football Field.

The AFC Davao festival is hosted by Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) and its water business unit Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua), in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), RSA 1 Sports Group, and the Davao-South Regional Football Association (DSRFA), with the support of Davao-based AboitizPower subsidiaries Davao Light and Power Corporation (Davao Light), Therma South, Inc., and Hedcor.

“Davao has always been a special place for the Aboitiz Group, from decades of operations of Davao Light, to the establishment of the Cleanergy Park, to the operations of Apo Agua at the start of this year. We love connecting with our community and are excited to finally bring the Aboitiz Football Cup here. The AFC has always been about more than just football, it’s about bringing people together, nurturing young talent, and having fun while doing it. We can’t wait to see the energy and passion Davaoeños will bring to our beloved tradition,” Apo Agua Head of Operations, Shake Tuason said.

The annual AFC promotes grassroots sports development and community engagement, particularly with the youth. With roots in Cebu and an established leg at the Aboitiz Pitch in Batangas, this year, the AFC expands its reach to involve the nationwide football community with the latest leg in Davao. As part of this expansion, two select winning teams from the Davao festival leg will compete against teams from Luzon and Visayas in a culminating exhibition game in Cebu in February 2025.

“The Aboitiz Football Cup will provide a fantastic platform for our young players to showcase their skills, and also build crucial life skills like teamwork, discipline, and leadership, as well as build lasting friendships and experience the joy of being part of a team. We are excited to work with Aboitiz InfraCapital to nurture the next generation through the beautiful game of football,” DSFRA President Ernesto Ortonio, Jr. said.

This season also introduces the Wasteless Campaign, which integrates CCBPI’s “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo!” program that promotes environmental stewardship and responsible waste management practices. AFC Davao festival participants are encouraged to collect and recycle post-consumer clear PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles at the designated drop-off sites at the festival venue, in exchange for Coca-Cola products.

“Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! is our flagship nationwide program designed to support communities’ waste management systems by establishing partnerships and collection hubs for post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles, regardless of brand. Through this partnership with the Aboitiz Football Cup, we continue to harness the power of teamwork toward our collective goal of fostering waste-free communities,” CCBPI VP for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Atty. Juan Lorenzo Tañada said last month at the AFC Season 24 launch in Cebu.

“This season’s integration of the Wasteless Campaign reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and collective action. By blending sportsmanship with environmental stewardship, we aim to inspire a new generation of Filipinos to take an active role in preserving our planet,” added Aboitiz Foundation President Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar at the same launch.

The AFC expansion to Davao builds on the tournament’s legacy of grassroots sports and community development, reflecting the city’s dynamic growth, vibrant population, and diversity in a celebration that life is here. Bringing together young athletes, families, and sports enthusiasts, the festival promises to nurture local talent, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen the community bonds that make Davao special.