PLDT takes MVP Olympics overall title

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT recently took home the overall championship in the recently concluded fifth MVP Olympics (MVPO), an annual sports event involving the 21 companies under the leadership of businessman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan.

In this year’s MVPO hosted by Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), PLDT racked up a medal tally of 14 golds, 21 silvers, and 8 bronzes. It was followed by Meralco with 19 golds, 7 silvers, and 10 bronzes, and Maynilad with 9 golds, 18 silvers, and 10 bronzes. Smart came in fourth with a medal haul of 11 golds, 6 silvers, and 12 bronzes.

About 2,500 employees participated in the weeklong MVPO which featured 26 sports events including basketball, bowling, and track and field. The MVPO, which had the theme “Tatak MVP, Tatak ng Tagumpay,” also held talent competitions such as Battle of the Bands, the MVP Idol singing contest, and a cosplay competition of the companies’ top executives. The activities culminated in a closing ceremony at the Meralco grounds on March 23.

The MVPO started in 2009 as a venue to promote teamwork and excellence among MVP companies. The companies joining this year’s MVP Olympics are Smart, Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Metro Pacific Tollways, Delos Santos Medical Center, MegaClinic, Central Luzon Doctors Hospital, Meralco, PLDT, ePLDT, Philex Mining, Outback Steakhouse, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Riverside Medical Center-Bacolod, Makati Medical Center, Mediaquest, Maynilad, First Pacific Leadership Academy, SPi Global, Davao Doctors Hospital, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, and Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

“This year’s MVPO showed the MVP Group’s passion for winning and highlighted the importance of teamwork. It is inspiring to see employees with the mindset of champions and who are constantly in the pursuit of wellness. We at Smart are happy to support a program that encourages people to ‘Live More,’” said Charles Lim, Smart executive vice president and head of consumer wireless business, and this year’s MVPO chair.