Young Filipino athletes take virtual centerstage in first-ever MILO-DepEd Palarong Pambahay

CLARK FREEPORT-Thousands of young Filipino athletes across the Philippines will put their athletic skills to the test as leading beverage brand MILO and the Department of Education will stage the MILODep Ed Pal ar ong Pambahay championships on May 21 and 22.

The MILO-DepEd Palarong Pambahay is the country’s first nationwide online inter-sport, interschool, junior sports competition that aims to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and continue their champion journeys in school and in sports.

“Home-based classes and online tournaments have served as a training ground for our young athletes in the past two years during the pandemic,” Carlo Sampan, Head of MILO Sports Program, said.

“With the launch of the MILO-DepEd Palarong Pambahay, we aim to showcase the skills and grit these athletes have worked hard for over the years, and pay tribute to the parents, coaches and teachers who have been in the sidelines to give their unwavering support to their children’s champion dreams," he added.

Finalists from 3,000 young athletes from the elementary and secondary divisions from both public and private schools nationwide will be competing in eight different sports namely Arnis, Athletics, Basketball, Football, Jumprope, Karatedo, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Taekwondo.

The finals of the competition will be broadcasted live on the official MILO Philippines Facebook page from May 21 to 22.

Video submissions of shortlisted participants will serve as their official entries to the competition, where it will be judged and scored real time. Top winners of the both divisions will each receive a MILO medal, certificate and electronic voucher.

“It is our great pleasure to be partnering with MILO once again for the first-ever MILODepEd Palarong Pambahay competition,” DepEd Undersecretary Atty. Tonisito Umali, said.

“Even though the pandemic has hindered most of our on-ground activities, our organization as well as coaches, teachers and parents have worked tremendously hard to make this event a reality.

This is quite a milestone and integral proof that nothing can stop the Filipino champion spirit and our winning culture of Bayanihan. We look forward to seeing our athletes shine and excel in the competition," he added.

MILO and the DepEd have enjoyed a longstanding partnership in promoting sport as an integral part of a child’s holistic development.

During the height of the pandemic, MILO and DepEd have jointly rolled out online modules, instructional exercise videos and sports equipment for public school students and teachers to help young Filipinos to remain active and excel in school and in sports.

For more information, follow MILO on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ milo.ph) and Instagram (@MiloPhilippines).