President Marcos showed the Philippines readiness to host the Fédération Internationale De Volleyball (FIVB) Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 by hosting the “PH to Serve” concert to mark the one-year countdown before the world championship.
President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (center) at the "PH to Serve" concert held in Malacañang on Sunday night, Sept. 15, 2024, to mark the start of the year-long countdown to the Philippines' hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. (Photo from Bongbong Marcos Facebook page)
In a Facebook post on Sunday night, Sept. 15, the Chief Executive expressed enthusiasm to hosting the event, which will mark the first time an Asian country secured the hosting duties after Japan in 1998 and 2006.
“This historic inaugural hosting by the Philippines will open doors to sports enthusiasts, spectators and athletes from around the world,” he wrote.
“This will boost sports tourism in our country and create opportunities for Filipinos to showcase our renowned hospitality on the global stage,” Marcos added.
The President also stressed that “we are ready to make the most out of this proud moment for the Philippines.”
According to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the Philippines secured the hosting rights “for its proven track record of hosting major volleyball events and passionate fanbase.”
“It is expected to attract significant global sports enthusiasts, boosting tourism,” it added.
The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World is scheduled to be held from Sept. 12 to 28, 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
At least 32 national teams will compete for the championship title, including Alas Pilipinas of the Philippines.
The concert, held at Malacañan Palace on Sunday, Sept. 15, was hosted by the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
It showcased performances from the medalists of the World Championships of Performing Arts Team Philippines, along an audio-visual presentation on the “Alas Pilipinas,” the country’s squad for the men’s and women’s indoor volleyball, sitting volleyball, and beach volleyball.
The President was presented with commemorative gifts by FIVB General Manager Fabio Azevedo and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Ramon Suzara “to symbolize the official turnover of the 2025 Volleyball Men’s World Championship hosting to the Philippines and as a token of appreciation to the Philippines for formally accepting the hosting.”
Along with the First Couple, the concert was attended by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Secretaries Bienvenido Laguesma of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT), and Amenah Pangandaman, of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Department of Information and Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Arsenio Balisacan were also present.
Around 800 guests that included lawmakers, government officials, and representatives from the private sector attended the concert.