Telecommunications giant PLDT, through its chairman Manny Pangilinan, has become the newest sponsor of the biennial event to be staged in the country on Nov. 27-Dec. 5.
The sponsorship deal was made after a series of meetings between Pangilinan and Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco who is also vice chairman of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee or Philsoc.
The amount of the contract was not divulged although somebody privy to the meetings said it was worth "more or less" P100 million which falls under the gold package of the SEA Games marketing program.
The silver package is worth P50 million, bronze P30 million and retail anything less than that.
So far, only Globe Telecoms has agreed to a P100 million sponsorship, putting an "advertising lock" on wireless communication. The deal sparked a controversy whether or not it has guaranteed Globe a "lockout," meaning its main rival, Smart, could no longer enter the picture.
As part of the deal, PLDT has offered its microwave and Mabuhay satellite facilities for the use in the broadcast of the Games. It is very crucial since the Games will be held in 40 different venues, including those in faraway Bacolod and Cebu.
The facilities of PLDT will enable on-venue broadcast teams to beam the action to the International Broadcasting Center. The Mabuhay satellite will then be responsible in beaming the action to the subscribing countries.
Aside from the Philippines, the other competing countries are Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar and East Timor.
"The hosting of the 23rd SEA Games is a signal honor for the Philippines and we are proud to and privileged to do our share for our country," said Pangilinan.
"This is no longer about business interests but the nation’s," said Pangilinan.
Cojuangco hailed PLDT for its tremendous support of the Games.
"It’s a show of patriotism and bayanihan spirit," he said.