Business leaders and philanthropists gather for a good cause, raising millions to empower the next generation and preserve cultural heritage
You may be familiar with the term “paying it forward”—that a series of small good deeds can snowball into an avalanche of kindness. Many may also remember the 2000s movie “Pay It Forward,” with child star Haley Joel Osment showing that small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on the world.
For the NextGeneration (NextGen) Advocate Foundation’s latest annual golf tournament, “Play It Forward,” the competition brought together business leaders, philanthropists, and community members with a shared vision.
From over a pool of 180 golfers and with sponsors like San Miguel Corporation and Acrocity, the tournament raised over P30 million, almost double last year’s amount, with funds going towards youth empowerment, disaster relief, and building sustainable communities.
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The NextGen golf tournament
The tournament itself was held on Sept. 16, 2024 at Sta. Elena Golf Club in Cabuyao, Laguna. Businessman Vince Ngo claimed the top prize with a stellar 56 points. Not far behind him were Marlon Dizon, Luis Yuchengco, and Nathan Kawpeng, who all finished with 54 points. However, Dizon won the Class A title through a countback on the last six holes.
Other standout winners were Kris Peralta, Arthur Dichavez, Ricky Alfonso, and Rhonda Van De Worp, who claimed top spots in Classes B, C, D, and the Ladies Division, respectively. Special awards went to Jorden David for Nearest to the Pin, Martin Leyeza for Longest Putt, Rocky Cebrero for Longest Drive, and Gerold Fernando for Most Accurate Drive on Hole 10.
Among the notable attendees were Alliance Global’s CEO Kevin Tan and his wife Mitch Tan, San Miguel’s Jake Ang, Franco Soberano of Cebu Landmasters, and Kumu’s founder Roland Ros, among others.
As is often the case, these industry leaders weren’t just playing for the love of the game but also to make big changes.
The advocacy
Combining health and athleticism with advocacy, the main event was geared towards the rehabilitation of Intramuros, the great walled city and one of the most important historical landmarks in Manila, dating back to the Spanish occupation.
With backing from the Intramuros Administration and the office of first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, NextGen offered promises to revitalize the cultural gem. While still a thriving city, many of the historical landmarks are in need of maintenance and upkeep to create more opportunities for tourism and turn the old city into a buzzing hub of culture that is hopefully more sustainable to visit and walk around.
Apart from tourism, NextGen advocates for the youth (particularly the marginalized youth), as evidenced by their name. It has partnered with the international organization Life Project 4 Youth, which spearheads initiatives to educate young adults aged 17 to 24 grappling with extreme poverty and societal exclusion, giving them the tools for brighter futures.
“Our mission at NextGen is to help build an inclusive future where every young Filipino is empowered to reach their full potential and contribute to a sustainable and progressive nation,” says NextGen president Nadia Mirani Uttamchandani.
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Just last year, NextGen raised P16 million, which directly helped over 37,000 Filipinos. Their efforts provided disaster relief to nearly 8,000 families, contributed to the Pasig River rehabilitation, and supported feeding programs for 5,000 children across Metro Manila. They also conducted health and charity initiatives for 2,500 women and kids in remote communities.
“Since we started, we’ve shown that together, we can achieve so much more. We’re dedicated to strengthening our disaster relief efforts by building strong partnerships and staying ready to act when it matters most. We’re also focused on empowering the next generation with skills and opportunities to lead, while working towards food security and better health for all,” adds NextGen vice president Paolo Martel.
NextGen’s commitment to creating real, lasting change is evident, from top to bottom, with a strong focus on paying it forward in various impactful ways.
Visit www.parasanextgen.org or follow @parasanextgen on Facebook and Instagram.