With the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship fast approaching, Philippine volleyball aces Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo are relishing a moment they’ve long dreamed of — men’s volleyball finally stepping into the national spotlight.
The surge in support comes as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation officially launched its partnership with the Light Rail Transit Authority on Tuesday, unveiling a fully wrapped LRT-2 train promoting the highly-anticipated world tournament.
Bagunas and Espejo — cornerstones of the Alas Pilipinas Men’s team — were at the center of the campaign, joining pool member Lucca Mamone and beach volleyball stalwarts Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons at the launch event.
Their faces now adorn the LRT-2, inside and out, bringing men’s volleyball into the daily commute of thousands of Filipinos.
“Very happy and excited at the same time, kasi part ako ng team na ‘to. Hopefully, makita ‘to ng lahat ng tao and suportahan yung Philippine men’s volleyball team sa darating na World Championship,” said Espejo, currently playing for Criss Cross in the Premier Volleyball League.
Standing tall at 6-foot-5, Bagunas said the experience was both surreal and gratifying, especially as men’s volleyball has long fought for visibility in a basketball-loving nation.
(C) PNVF
“Siyempre sobrang nakakaproud kasi sa buong LRT-2 ‘to na nandito yung World Championship, nandito kami na kami yung magre-represent ng country. Sobrang proud namin and sobrang excited kami,” he shared.
“Sobrang rare dito sa Pilipinas na makikita mo yung volleyball is prino-promote dito sa LRT, especially men’s volleyball. Sobrang overwhelming,” Bagunas added.
Aside from the train wrap, commuters walking the bridge connecting LRT-1’s Doroteo Jose Station and LRT-2’s Recto Station were greeted by promotional banners featuring Alas mainstays Owa Retamar and Steven Rotter.
“Starting today, people using Line 2 will see promotional materials for the FIVB MWCH inside and outside of the trains,” said LRTA Administrator Atty. Hernando Cabrera. “We have specifically designed one train [advertising]; we did a train wrap, and when you go inside the train, you’ll see promotional materials. It’s one of a kind for a very, very special occasion.”
Also present at the unveiling were PNVF and Asian Volleyball Confederation president Tats Suzara and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio, signaling strong institutional support for the World Championship preparations.
Suzara lauded the partnership with LRTA as a milestone in the country’s hosting efforts.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank this partnership with the LRTA, which will effectively and intensively promote this major global event,” he said.
