Manila, Philippines, September 13, 2024 — Nestlé MILO® marked a significant milestone in its mission to inspire young Filipinos to embrace sports and build their champion journeys with a contract renewal ceremony for top Filipino pole vaulter and Olympian athlete EJ Obiena. The partnership serves as a continuation of the brand’s dedication to nurturing future generations of champions, with the support of athletes who embody teamwork, grit, and discipline.
To strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders in inspiring the youth, MILO®, together with Obiena, paid a visit to the Department of Education for a courtesy call with Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Asec. Dexter Galban, Usec. Revsee Escobedo, and the rest of the DepEd team, with the aim of heightening access to sports and enabling kids to start their champion journey through grassroots sports programs, sports clinics, and school partnerships.
Following the contract renewal, Obiena visited the community of Oranbo Elementary School, where he met with over 500 students, parents, and teachers alike eager to meet the champion himself. The school visit served as a powerful reminder of the impact sports can have in shaping the lives of children, with Obiena’s story providing real-life inspiration for the students to kickstart their journeys in sports and life.
The excitement was further fueled by the iconic MILO® truck, offering cups of MILO® to the students – a simple yet memorable symbol of the brand’s commitment to nourishing not just bodies, but also the dreams of young champions.
Obiena shared, “One of the reasons why I wanted to work with MILO® was the reach they have with kids, when you say sports, it automatically equates to MILO®. As much as I am who I am, I don’t have the same reach to help develop my sports in the country. This is why I need a partner who shares the same vision for such great initiatives for Filipino kids.
“EJ Obiena is a testament to how a MILO® ambassador should be, someone who not only excels in sports, but someone that the younger generation looks up to. As such, through EJ, we hope to motivate kids to pursue their passions with the same determination and heart,” shared Carlo Sampan, head of MILO® Sports.
As MILO® and Obiena continue to work together, the goal remains clear: to inspire the next generation of Filipino champions, one cup of MILO®, and one sports dream at a time.
