Akari lights up Adamson Falcons teams’ UAAP Season 81 campaign

Adamson Baby Falcons

For the past five years, Akari has been supporting Adamson in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Season 81 is no exception as Akari continues to soar with the Falcons.

Akari is once again going all out to support the Adamson Falcons in their bid for a men’s basketball championship. Since taking over the program in 2016, coach Franz Pumaren has steered the team to two consecutive Final Four appearances. This year, the Falcons are touted as strong contenders in the senior men’s basketball division.

Meanwhile, third-year American mentor Airess Padda is training the Lady Falcons to compete at a higher level. As part of their off-season build-up, the volleybelles are joining several leagues ahead of their UAAP season opening in February 2019.

For the program’s continuity, Akari has also included the high school girls’ volleyball team under its management. Early this year, the company held the Akari National High School Volleyball Championships to scout promising players and bring them in to the Adamson junior and senior volleyball programs.

After delivering the university’s first championship in the UAAP Cheer Dance Competition (CDC) last year, Adamson Pep Squad coach Jam Lorenzo and his wards are training harder than ever to defend their crown as the UAAP CDC unfolds in November.

Akari’s unwavering support to the Adamson University for the past five years is just one of the many initiatives under the brand’s youth development and sports program. The company has formalized the Akari Foundation to extend its support to the youth beyond collegiate sports. Akari recently gathered the 2018-2019 Adamson University scholars of the company. In an intimate dinner, Christopher Tiu, Akari chief executive officer, reiterated the lighting and energy company’s commitment to help enlighten the future of the Filipino youth.

“Through the Lim Liok Lim and Carter Tiu scholarships, we aim to give back via tertiary scholarship grants. The immediate family members of our employees, as well as the nearest kin of the athletes of the company-sponsored school teams are our priority. We’re also open to providing scholarship grants to indigent but deserving individuals,” Tiu said.

Finding balance between passion and profession

Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag, Jr. is a multifaceted individual who, despite his busy profession, never turns down an opportunity to work with his passion. Aside from being a notable lawyer, following the footsteps of his father, prominent human rights lawyer Rene Saguisag Sr., he was also a former BEST Center coach and is currently the UAAP commissioner for two consecutive seasons, 78 and 79. On top of that, Atty. Rebo is also a strong advocate of sports development among the youth naming the Mindanao Peace Games as one of his involvements.  Recently, he even volunteered to manage his son’s little league baseball team.


How does he balance his passion and profession? “I don’t,” Saguisag wittingly answered. “I just married the perfect wife who fills all my shortcomings.” Law practice and basketball seem like two different worlds. Managing each would require his undivided attention as they are both time-consuming and emotionally draining. He explained, “I don’t see it as an obstacle but a challenge and opportunity to better myself so I never even considered choosing one over the other. In fact, if handled properly, they can even complement each other.”

Saguisag stated that his success as a lawyer, his pride in being a former BEST Center coach and now the UAAP commissioner, his commitment to being a good family man, and a better individual are all because of the lessons he learned while playing basketball when he was still young.

“All I really needed to learn, I learned inside the basketball court,” he shared.

Saguisag’s experience as a former coach for BEST (Basketball Efficiency & Scientific Training) Center, multi-awarded and pioneer in basketball clinics in the country, helped in his values formation. He noted how the organization has instilled in him discipline and a great sense of responsibility. The strict guidelines and high standards imposed and maintained in the clinics and the proper behavior required in the court, along with the values taught in team sports, has molded him to become who he is today.

He further explained, “Playing and coaching basketball aided me in knowing the technicalities and rules of the game which is vital in my position as a commissioner. Meanwhile, small details such as punctuality and grooming (like making sure my jerseys are tucked) helped in how I properly carry myself, even inside the courtroom.”

So far, the former BEST Center coach and now notable lawyer-cum-UAAP commissioner enjoys the best of both worlds and aims to implement his advocacies for the development of both fields. He also encourages everyone not to limit themselves to their own comfort zones but instead, be open to opportunities, accept challenges and turn these into achievements. Above all, never undermine the seemingly trivial lessons you learn along the way for it is through these experiences that make you who are, regardless of what you are.

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