Philippine Polo Open 2015

The invigorating culture of the tropical paradise of Havana in Cuba served as an inspiration for GlobalPort’s Philippine Polo Open 2015 at the Manila Polo Club recently. Percussionists and salsa dancers greeted guests as they walked into a tropical backdrop of palm trees while enjoying their Cuban- inspired food and drinks.

GlobalPor t’s Dr. Mikee Romero and wife Shei la cont inued the t r adit ion of advocat ing the spor t by spearheading their fourth Polo Cup. Mikee decided to take the tournament to a whole new level by holding a six- team open, an event that had never been done in the Philippine Polo scene before. Players were from Argentina, Thailand, the United Kingdom and China.

Guests, who were treated to tropical welcome gifts of panama hats and f loral hairpieces, enjoyed the afternoon sipping champagne while watching the games.

A well- anticipated portion of the tournament was the divot stomping, where the brass band Guarana ushered in the guests towards the fields amidst colorfully dressed dancers. The sponsors were also carefully chosen to match this year’s Cuban- inspired theme. Don Papa Rum whipped up thirstquenching cocktails while Kick- Start Coffee brewed its best coffee blends. Veuve Clicquot provided a VIP lounge for champagne lovers. Folded & Hung provided guests with an exclusive sneak- peek of its 2015 Spring/ Summer Collection.

The event culminated with the Patron All- Star Game between the Green Team led by Dr. Mikee Romero with teammates Santi Juban, Manot Montilla and Nino Obregon versus the Red Team led by Iñigo Zobel, Polo Escape patron

Robin Lourvanij along with teammates Antonio Veloso and Guillermo Cavanagh. The match ended with a draw.

For the finals, it was a battle between the Philippines’ Los Tamaraos under the patronage of Bobby Aguirre whose sons Cole and Gus Aguirre, along with teammates Max

Charlton and Nacho Ithurburu, competed against China’s Tang Polo team led by patron Shilai Liu with Argentinean professional players Miguel Diaz and Benjamin Urquiza.

The GolbalPort Philippine Polo Open was presented by GlobalPort 900. This event was sponsored by AirAsia Airlines and Oracle Hotel & Residences, with special participation by Folded & Hung. Special thanks also to Veuve Clicquot, Don Papa Rum and Kick- Start Coffee.

Dr. Mikee Romero and wife Sheila (second and third from left) with their children (from left) Miguel, Santi, Mandy and Milka.

(From left) Mandy Romero, Penn Roque, Alan Vianzon, Monica Ravanera and Ronald Pineda.

(From left) Lana Johnson, Hera Geriene, Len Olbes, Sheila Romero, Maricar de Mesa, Dette Tan and Leslie Pine.

(From left) Andrea Martel, Bubbles Bermudez, Mandy Romero and Marielle Yulo.

(From left) Dette Tan, Aida Cobankiat, Ruby Chua, Chris Badiola and Fila’s Cris Albert.

The King Power Team. (From left) Lucas Lujan, Santi Galland, Tal Srivaddhanaprabha and Antonino Menard.

(From left) Guillermo Cavanagh, Gregorio Gelosi, Alfonso Araneta and Iñigo Zobel.

Francis de Leon, Czarina Syquia and Jun Jun Ablaza.

( From left) Max Charlton, Cole Aguirre, Gus Aguirre and Nacho Ithurburu.

(From left) Miguel and Dr. Mikee Romero, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Sheila Romero and Tippy Choungrangsee.

Martine Cajucom, Isabelle Daza and Jessica Wilson.

( From left) Dr. Mikee Romero, Solenn Heussaff, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Tippy Choungrangsee and Anthony Garcia.

JJ and Trish Calma.

Ferdi Salvador with Chito and Anna Sobrepeña.

Martin and Aleli Andanar.

Mia Florencio and Reagan Arcega.

Napo Bustillo, Brittany Lu and Gerard Garcia.

Charmagne Laconico and Wency Lagumbay.

Milka Romero, Michelle Barrera and Tonypet Albano.

German Ambassador Thomas Ossowski.