P&G Introduces the Philippines’ First Bet to the London 2012 Olympic Games

Procter and Gamble and the International Olympic Committee announced their partnership in an event dubbed as “Thank you Mom for seeing the Hero in me” at The Blue Leaf last March 7.

Procter and Gamble, a Worldwide Partner of the International Olympic Committee, intends to go beyond supporting the athletes by honoring their loving mothers who are behind their success.

“P&G as a company is in the business of touching and improving all people’s lives. Those who are in the forefront with us towards this goal are the mothers,” said Mr. Chad Sotelo, P&G Country Marketing Manager.

“We take this as an opportunity to reward our nurturers who saw the heroes in us and reared us to be the champions that we are in our respective fields. P&G is a proud sponsor of moms. We are now and we will continue to be,” he added.

Peping Cojuangco, Jr., President of the Philippine Olympic Committee in his solidarity message commended this thrust in recognizing not only the athletes but also the mothers, their tower of strength. He further stressed how crucial full support is to the Philippines’ representatives in their physical, mental and emotional preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Mark Anthony Barriga, the country’s first qualified athlete competing in light flyweight boxing, was also introduced in the launch. The 18-year-old delegate is among the youngest against more experienced boxers in this division, but he chooses to look at his age and youth as an advantage and is positive that he will deliver.

[previous|page|next]

Mark also wishes to make the Philippines proud given that the country’s highest chance of bringing home the gold has always been in the boxing category. He is currently being trained by retired boxer Roel Velasco who won the bronze medal in the light flyweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and is also the elder brother of Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco Jr. who won a silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta in the same weight division.

Mark thanked P&G and PSC for their continued assistance in his journey towards the Olympic Games but more importantly, his mom for her unwavering love and sacrifices for him and their family.

Mrs. Melita Barriga or “Momsky” as Mark calls her was flown from their hometown in Davao to be with Mark in this event. She was welcomed on stage by P&G’s Mombassador, renowned television host and actress, Kris Aquino.

Momsky shared to Kris and everyone how she was treated to a pamper day before joining them. Just when she thought that was it, Kris revealed more surprises to her.

The P&G team went to the Barrigas’ house in Davao, took care of all of Momsky’s chores to make sure that her family is doing fine while she is in Manila, improved their home, and gave them a year supply of P&G products.
 
Finally, Kris announced that P&G will sponsor her flight to London to watch Mark compete in the Olympic Games. Momsky was very happy especially that she rarely gets to see Mark fight because of their distance. Kris, who has been vocal about her gratefulness and love to her own mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, was equally delighted to see how surprised Momsky was.

Kris and Momsky also acknowledged that every mother’s plight is unique and deserves the highest recognition so together, they led the awarding of the P&G Proud Sponsor of Moms medals to all the mothers present that evening.

“P&G would like to commend Mark for making it to the qualifiers. That alone is a victory to be celebrated. We would like to congratulate Momsky for raising an Olympic hopeful and all the mothers for raising everyday heroes. P&G is committed to walk hand in hand with you in providing the best for you and your families,” ended Sotelo.