First Lady vows support to FIVB men’s tourney
The Philippines’ solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 took one giant stride after First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos vowed her full support during an historic organizational meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday, April 30.
“The First Lady readily gave her full support to the country’s solo hosting of the world championship,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara after the meeting at the First Lady’s Office at the PMS Building in the Palace.
“She’s so enthusiastic about the event and showed everyone in the room her love for sports,” Suzara added.
In firming up Malacanang’s support, the First Lady asked youngest Presidential son William Vincent Araneta Marcos to join the meeting that also set the foundation of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 32-nation—including the Philippines—world championship set Sept. 12 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It was one significant meeting that practically nailed all hinges for a smooth and best-ever hosting of the now biennial competition with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco providing a general brief on the world championship that will be hosted only for the second time by an Asian country after Japan in 1998 and 2006.
Frasco meanwhile assured the DOT’S comprehensive and encompassing support to the event. “The DOT will form a consortium for attractive packages for fans—foreign and local—with all efforts bordering on our ‘Love The Philippines’ campaign,” she said.
Also present in the meeting were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor, PNVF Vice President Ricky Palou and Secretary General Donaldo Caringal, and national team member Bryan Bagunas.