Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos exuded pride and confidence as he led the ceremonial launch of the country’s first-time and solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 on Tuesday night, June 18, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“We’re proud and confident of hosting the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025,” said the 27-year-old youngest son of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the ceremony held during the break between the opening-day matches of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Week 3 at the Pasay City arena.

Marcos chairs the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the world championship set September 12 to 28 both at the MOA Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor formally turned over the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 ceremonial ball to Marcos and to LOC co-chairs Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, as LOC president and CEO, mastered the ceremony which was also graced by Asian Volleyball Confederation president Rita Sibowo and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

Witnessing the event were top officials of Volleyball World and VNL and FIVB who are overseeing the country’s third-time hosting of the VNL.

“The ball is now very much in play for the country’s hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025,” Suzara said. “Dozens of activities are lined up ahead of the hosting of the world’s most prestigious and important volleyball tournament.”

“We will be a sports tourism powerhouse,” said Cayetano, also PNVF’s chairman emeritus.