Gatorade, the world’s leading sports drink, recently held the first-ever leg of its barangay grassroots program, the “Fueled Liga,” in Barangay Sta. Ana and South Signal, both in Taguig City, last March 23. This event strongly aligns with the brand’s focus on recognizing and upholding the transformative power of sports in communities and promoting the importance of proper hydration across these activities.
The much-anticipated kickoff was filled with excitement and opportunity, bringing together over 480 pumped-up basketball and volleyball youths and one thousand-plus witnesses who provided their support. It was a day of not just sports skills-building sessions and drills but also of inspiration from notable professional Filipino athletes and essential hydration knowledge from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, paving the way for growth and learning.
True to its purpose, the Fueled Liga kickoff paved the way for young barangay players to play the sports they’re passionate about in the spirit of friendly competition. It allowed them to showcase their skills and strengthen their teamwork and bonds further as they “sweat together,” fueled by Gatorade’s excellent hydration, which helped them play at their best throughout the activities.
Those who played exceptionally well were named MVPs and will participate in the upcoming Gatorade Fueled Liga camps. These camps are exclusive basketball and volleyball clinics powered by Gatorade Brand Ambassadors LA Tenorio, Alyssa Valdez, and Dwight Ramos. They will run from June to August.
Five-time Philippine Basketball Association champion LA Tenorio attended the Fueled Liga kickoff, thanking Gatorade and emphasizing the importance of such an initiative for aspiring athletes.
“I thank Gatorade for creating such a program, especially as it brings much-needed sports opportunities closer to our grassroots communities. Now, talented young players don’t need to travel far and won’t find it difficult to participate in events that show their abilities and skills. More opportunities will now be available for us to discover and nurture future Filipino sports talents – and we can inspire them today to play better with each other. I am honored and blessed to be a part of such a program,” he said.
Volleyball star Eya Laure, one of Gatorade’s Brand Ambassadors, also echoed a similar sentiment, sharing how initiatives like Fueled Liga helped her in her journey as an athlete.
“I started playing in community leagues, and the experience has provided me with vast opportunities for self-growth, character development, and deeper companionship with my teammates. I’ve found that stronger teamwork brings more powerful results, which goes beyond just playing the sports we love. Similarly, I believe Fueled Liga offers these barangay players the chance to grow and develop together and strengthen bonds through community sports.”
Katrina Suarez, PepsiCo Philippines Marketing Lead for Non-Carbonated Beverages, shared more about the brand’s commitment and movement: “Through Fueled Liga, we are not just bringing sports to communities and educating them on proper hydration. We also recognize the incredible potential in these communities and invite the barangay youth to join and get a chance to participate in our Gatorade Fueled Camps with LA, Dwight, and Alyssa. We value each and every member of these communities and believe in their potential.”
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey and invite everyone to stay tuned and follow us on social media for Fueled Liga updates. We are moving to engage more communities, and we can’t wait to see what this program has in store.”
Fueled Liga will run from March 23 to July 2024, covering 150 barangays across Luzon. To join, participants must present a Gatorade glass bottle crown or “tansan” during the event to sign up and enjoy the activities with their teams and friends.