Milo Active Pilipinas: Championing Sports, Inclusion, and the Future of Filipino Athletes
For over 60 years, Milo has been a game-changer in grassroots sports development in the Philippines, shaping young athletes and fostering a love for active lifestyles. As 2025 kicks off, I had the privilege of witnessing the launch of Milo Active Pilipinas—an initiative set to redefine accessibility and inclusivity in sports for millions of Filipino children.
A Bigger, Bolder Vision for 2025
Last year, Milo reached an astounding 2 million children and engaged 5 million Filipinos in sports. This year, they’re setting the bar even higher, aiming to involve at least 3 million kids! What stood out to me was their commitment to expanding on-ground programs to remote provinces, ensuring that even last-mile schools and underserved communities get access to quality sports facilities.
Inclusivity is at the heart of this movement. The program actively supports indigenous groups, persons with disabilities, and female athletes, emphasizing that every child—regardless of background—deserves a shot at sports excellence.
More Than Just Sports: A Holistic Approach
One of the things I admire most about Milo’s approach is that it goes beyond athletics. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in an active child’s development, and Milo continues to reinforce the connection between physical activity and overall well-being. Their partnership with public schools ensures access to sports equipment, integrating athletic programs into education. With only 4,000 schools having received sports equipment funding in the past three years, it’s clear that public-private collaborations like this are essential.
Exciting New Programs: Running, Swimming, and More
The 2025 expansion introduces even more exciting programs. Milo is increasing its marathons from 15 to 25 and expanding its Sports Clinics across Visayas and Mindanao, making sports more accessible beyond Metro Manila. One of the highlights? The Barangay League, which fosters community sports engagement, particularly in basketball—a national favorite.
But what really caught my attention was the introduction of the “Safe Swim” program, in collaboration with the Philippine Red Cross. With 60 nationwide sessions, this initiative aims to teach essential water safety skills to prevent drowning incidents among children. As someone who believes that life skills should be at the core of sports education, this was an inspiring addition.
Champions in Life: The Bigger Picture
At its core, Milo isn’t just about building athletes—it’s about shaping individuals who succeed beyond the playing field. The “Champions in Life” campaign showcases inspiring stories, like Jamie Lim’s journey from a Milo Sports Clinic athlete to a national karate champion and summa cum laude graduate from UP. It’s stories like hers that remind us that sports teach discipline, resilience, and excellence—values that last a lifetime.
A Milo Story Close to My Heart
I want to share a story that’s very close to my heart. From 2010 to 2013, I had the privilege of coaching Scrabble in the Milo Olympics—yes, Scrabble! While most people focus on basketball and other mainstream sports, I’ve always believed that table sports deserve just as much recognition.
But let me tell you, it wasn’t easy at first. When I held tryouts, not a single student signed up. On the second day, I got creative—I brought snacks! And just like that, I had my first six players. What started as a hesitant group of “Scrabblethes” turned into something truly special.
After weeks of training, we did something no one expected—we won bronze. It was our school’s first-ever Scrabble medal, and that moment ignited a spark. The next year, more students wanted to take on the challenge. But what touched me the most was seeing those first medalists return years later, still wearing their passion like a badge of honor, now coaching younger kids and passing on what they had learned.
That’s the true impact of sports. It’s not just about winning—it’s about growth, perseverance, and giving back. And that’s exactly what Milo stands for. Because of Milo, these kids aren’t just shining in the spotlight—they’re sharing it.
So from the bottom of my heart, thank you, Milo, for inspiring generations.
The Future of Philippine Sports Starts Here
The launch of Milo Active Pilipinas reaffirmed my belief in the power of sports to transform lives. With its bigger reach, commitment to inclusivity, and game-changing programs, this initiative is shaping the future of Filipino athletes. Whether it’s on the court, in the pool, or on the track, the next generation of champions is being empowered—one child at a time.
And I can’t wait to see where this journey takes them.
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