First Gentleman’s Cup draws support from business sector

The First Gentleman’s Golf Cup will be held on June 27 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club under the aegis of the First Gentleman’s Foundation. Organizers said yesterday the event coincides with the birthday of the First Gentleman, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

The event, launched last year at the same venue, was firmed up recently during a meeting between Arroyo and a group of businessmen and drew overwhelming support from the business community.

More than 20 big companies have pledged to send their teams, ensuring the participation of some 300 players in the event.

Arroyo said the response of the business community was heartwarming, demonstrating the businessmen’s willingness to rally behind the project which he described as "player for fun and for a cause."

Proceeds of the golf tournament are earmarked for soldiers and policemen under the Alay sa Kawal program and wards of The Haven, a center assisting abused women and girls set up by Gina de Venecia, president of the Congressional Spouses Foundation.

Other beneficiaries of the golfing event are the church which will promote the profession of priests and nuns in view of the acute shortage of religious workers and other disadvantaged sectors like the out-of-school youth and the disabled and indigent senior citizens.

The First Gentleman’s Gold Cup was inaugurated last year, also coinciding with the birthday of Arroyo. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo attended the ceremonial tee-off at the same sports venue.

Among the beneficiaries of last year’s golf competition were indigent senior citizens and out-of-school youth under Project Oyster, an employment and training assistance program for the youth conducted by President Macapagal Arroyo in partnership with the Philippine National Police.