ALAS Pilipinas standouts Eya Laure and Bryan Bagunas have been introduced as official ambassadors, while indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben has been named the official music partner for the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship Philippines 2025, set to take place in September.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), led by President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, made the announcement on Tuesday during the official launch at The Vault in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
The event marked the six-month countdown to the historic tournament, which will run from September 12 to 28.
Laure and Bagunas will join the PNVF in various promotional tours both locally and internationally, with Ben&Ben’s song Triumph serving as the official anthem throughout the countdown leading up to the 32-team global showdown.
This is the Philippines’ first time hosting the prestigious tournament and only its second participation since the 1974 edition in Mexico.
Promotional activities leading up to the event include an International Road Show, a Mascot Contest and Launch, a Trophy Tour, a Media Broadcast Conference, a Team Managers’ Meeting, a Test Event, and a 100-Day Countdown in June.
“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, a former UST standout who has since risen to stardom in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
“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,” added Bagunas, a former UAAP and Spikers’ Turf MVP who has played professionally in Japan and Taiwan.
Currently recovering from a left knee injury, Bagunas is making steady progress toward full fitness in time for the world championship.
The ALAS Pilipinas men’s squad, led by Bagunas, is set to compete in Group A alongside 11-time African champion Tunisia, reigning Africa titlist and Paris Olympian Egypt, and 2024 Asian Championship runner-up Iran.
With official ambassadors, a theme song, and a music partner in place, the PNVF and the Men’s World Championship Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Executive Board are ramping up preparations for what is poised to be a landmark event in Philippine volleyball history.
“Let’s get it going. We’re 192 days away from history. Tulong-tulong tayo and let’s get the (full preparations) started,” said Suzara, who also serves as the executive vice president of the FIVB and president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).
Joining Suzara at the launch were Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, who co-chairs the LOC Executive Board and serves as PNVF Chairman Emeritus alongside Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano.
“What we’re doing here is bigger than just volleyball. It’s bigger than one team, one goal, and one NSA. It’s a whole-country effort to showcase the best of the Philippines,” said Alan Peter Cayetano.
Marcos echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement over the Philippines’ first solo hosting of the tournament.
“Volleyball is really growing popular here in our country, and I really can’t wait to see us host the world championship,” Marcos said.
For Senator Pia Cayetano, a member of the LOC Executive Board, the significance of this event extends beyond just volleyball. She noted the Philippines’ emergence as a global sports hub following its successful hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the Philippine women’s football team’s historic FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign, and the country’s upcoming hosting of the 2025 FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.
“It took us a lifetime to get here, to where Philippine volleyball is — now hosting a world championship. This is not a regional or Asian championship, but a world championship. This is major. We can make it happen, but we have to do it all together to make it the best hosting ever,” said Cayetano.
Adding to the excitement is Ben&Ben, the nine-member ensemble consisting of twins Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin Guico (vocals and guitar), Poch Barreto (electric guitar), Jam Villanueva (drums), Agnes Reoma (bass), Patricia Lasaten (keyboards), Toni Munoz and Andrew de Pano (percussions), and Keifer Cabugao (violin). The band composed Triumph, the official theme song of the championship.
“We’re lucky and proud to have Ben&Ben. The song Triumph perfectly fits volleyball, and that’s important for us Filipinos, who love both sports and music,” Suzara remarked.
Triumph was originally released last year as a pre-release single from Ben&Ben’s third album, The Traveller Across Dimensions. The song has since become a Filipino anthem for empowerment, resilience, and hope — values that mirror Philippine sports, especially volleyball.
“We at Ben&Ben are happy and proud to be the official music partner for this historic event. Our new song Triumph carries the love, passion, and drive that are exactly what volleyball and this world championship are all about,” said Paolo Benjamin.
With all elements coming together, the stage is set for the Philippines to deliver a world-class hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
