Members of nine-piece folk band Ben&Ben pose for a groufie with Alas Pilipinas' Eya Laure and Bryan Bagunas during the press launch of FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship's music partner and ambassadors, Tuesday in Taguig City. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – The buildup for the upcoming Philippine-hosted FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025 continues.
Nine-piece folk band Ben&Ben has been tapped as the FIVB Worlds' music partner, while Eya Laure of Alas Pilipinas Women and Bryan Bagunas of Alas Pilipinas were named as ambassadors of the much-anticipated 32-nation tourney, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) unveiled Tuesday at The Vault in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
Ben&Ben's "Triumph" will serve as the official song throughout the countdown for the world championships, which will take place September 12 to 28.
The Pinoy band is known for its hit songs "Kathang Isip" and "Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay."
READ: PH to host FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025
For their part, Laure and Bagunas will lead promotional tours leading to the event as their task as ambassadors.
READ: PH gears up for hosting of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship
Included are the International Road Show, Mascot Contest and Launch, Trophy Tour, Media Broadcast Conference, Team Managers Meeting, Test Event, and the 100-Day Countdown in June, according to the PNVF.
“It’s such an honor to be one of the ambassadors. Maraming salamat po dahil dito ay mas nakikilala ang volleyball sa Pilipinas at ngayon, best of the best pa ang magpupunta dito sa atin. Nakaka-excite dahil kasama rin ang Alas men’s team. Suportahan po natin sila,” said Laure.
READ: Alas Pilipinas Men pooled with Iran, Egypt, Tunisia in FIVB World Championship
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa PNVF for bringing the world championship here. Sobrang laking bagay po nito sa Philippine volleyball community. Marami kaming matutunan dito at malaking pagkakataon para sa atin na mai-showcase ang Philippine volleyball,” said Bagunas, who is recovering from a left knee injury.
As the host country, the Philippines will also join the tournament, marking the country's participation after 51 long years.
Alas Pilipinas Men were grouped with tough adversaries — Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia — in Pool A of the volleyball tiff.
World No. 15 Iran men's national volleyball team is the runner-up of 2023 Asian Championship and has four continental golds to its name.
The Tunisia men's national volleyball team, 40th in the world rankings, is an 11-time African Championship winner, while the World No. 20 Egypt men's national volleyball team is also a nine-time continental champion.
Those who attended the Taguig event were FIVB executive vice president, Asian Volleyball Confederation and PNVF president Ramon Suzara, presidential son and co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Vinny Marcos, and senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano.
READ: PNVF taps Korean exec to boost organizing committee of FIVB worlds
Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) emphasized the significance of government-private sector partnerships during the inter-agency meeting for the MWCH.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Administrative Order 30, directed the creation of a task force last month dedicated to ensuring the smooth hosting of the world championships.
READ: Preparations on track for PH's hosting of FIVB men's world tilt
READ: Marcos orders creation of task force for PH hosting of FIVB Worlds
"Your dedication is truly commendable, and we greatly appreciate your efforts in raising the standards of what the Philippines can offer as a host of such prestigious events," Bachmann said as he talked to several government agencies.
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