NEWS
MILO champions share stories of hard work that led to their lifelong success
September 27, 2022 2:00 p.m.
MILO® Philippines has extended its partnership with Jamie Lim, Coach Rio de la Cruz, and Japoy Lizardo. Adding another chapter to their years-long relationship, the beloved nutritious beverage brand is excited to tell each Champion’s unique story of pagpupursige that will inspire the next generation of young athletes to persevere in their own Champion journeys.
Breaking stereotypes
Being the daughter of a professional basketball legend and growing up in a family of athletes, it seemed destined for Jamie to become a star karateka. However, from an early age, both her father and mother – who is also a seasoned lawyer – taught Jamie the importance of choosing her own path and instilled in her the belief that she can always be more than your stereotypical jock.
Choosing to not limit herself, Jamie decided to pursue goals in both sports and academics. The journey was not without its challenges as she had to learn how to balance the many responsibilities she had as a student while keeping up with the discipline of an athlete.
“I remember, in my preparation for the SEA Games back in 2019, I only had 5 months of real training as I was already in the last months of my senior year. On top of that, I was out of Karate for 4 years so training was twice as rigorous. Although it was difficult, I was able to power through it because I knew that the stakes were also high,” shared Jamie.
With her family’s continuous support, she was inspired to break past the mold and prove that she can indeed excel on and off the mat. Still one of her proudest achievements was winning both a gold medal in Karate during the 2019 SEA Games and graduating Summa Cum Laude in UP Diliman with a degree in BS Mathematics. Today she is focused on furthering her studies in London while awaiting for the start of training for the next SEA Games in 2023.
“Coming from being a part of MILO® AAK and now with my extended partnership with the MILO® family, I hope to inspire kids who are faced by the same barriers as mine to be brave in breaking out of those stereotypes and in paving their own paths. Their time to prove themselves will come,” added Jaime.
Running through life’s obstacles
Before Coach Rio became an international marathoner and one of the top running coaches in the country, his road to success was paved from humble beginnings. Coming from a big family that struggled in putting food on the table, Coach Rio sorely lacked the financial support that most young runners his age needed to pursue a professional career.
At times, all young Rio had was an unwavering pagpupursige and discipline – and that was enough. He never once missed training, even on the days he had no running gear or equipment, and learned early on that he needed to work thrice as hard to achieve his one clear goal: be a successful athlete to provide for his family.
“One time when I was in elementary school, there was a trial race that I really wanted to join. Ang kaso sabi ng coach ko noon, hindi ka pa ready – pero makulit ako. I still showed up during the competition day and patiently waited. Buti na lang, one athlete didn’t show up so my coach gave me a chance. I proved to him that I deserved it by winning it all,” shared Coach Rio. That win opened the doors for Coach Rio’s future success in the sport.
“Time management and determination were key for me. Even when I was young, my life was all about school and training. I knew what I wanted and I was focused on my goal despite knowing that it would come with a lot of sacrifices,” emphasized Coach Rio.
For Coach Rio, being a part of the MILO® Philippines family has played a huge part in his grit journey. From joining the MILO® Marathons and using his winnings to support himself in school, to now being the main organizer for all their events nationwide and a familiar face in the new MILO® TV commercial, it has come full circle. He continues to help pave the way for aspiring young athletes who are hoping to succeed in sports the same way he did.
Molding the next generation of athletes
Japoy started his journey in sports at a MILO® Sports Program. At just 12 years old and being known as the teenage heartthrob whose face was on every MILO® pack, Japoy recognized the responsibility he had as thousands of other kids were aspiring to be just like him. This became an important driving factor for Japoy to pursige in succeeding in Taekwondo.
Since he wasn’t as tall or built as other athletes his age, he struggled to put on the required weight for his category but he persevered and worked twice as hard in developing his techniques. He turned his height and weight into an advantage that allowed him to create his signature “Spinning Kick” move that earned him the nickname “The Spinning Kick of Asia”.
Now at 36 and a professional coach himself, Japoy uses this experience in shaping the next generation of strong-willed athletes and giving them a platform to become an inspiration for the generation after them. In this extension of his partnership with MILO®, Japoy also aims to share this with more kids nationwide. “Although not all athletes are born gifted in a sport, they are molded through the years with experience and the right pagpupursige to succeed. That’s how strong athletes are created,” said Japoy.
The MILO® Champions have come together to inspire kids as they continue on their own Champion journeys. Their unique stories of pagpupursige also show that the values learned from sports can also lead to success.
“We’re very happy to be extending this partnership with Jamie Lim, Coach Rio, and Japoy Lizardo. We believe that they each have personal stories that will serve as inspiration for many young athletes today to pursige in achieving lifelong success just like they did. As one MILO® family, we are proud to give them a platform that allows them to do just that,” said Veronica Cruz, MILO Business Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Nestle Philippines, Inc.
Together, MILO® Philippines calls on moms to join the MILO® Champions in building pagpupursige within their children through sports. To know more about MILO® sports programs, please visit the official MILO® Philippines website.
NEWS
Makati Business Club believes Customs chief Nepomuceno can reform, modernize agency
5:39 p.m. July 26, 2025
In a strong show of confidence from the country’s premier business group, Makati Business Club (MBC) Executive Director Rafael “Apa” Ongpin praised Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno during a recent high-profile interview, calling him a man of “great integrity” and a capable leader poised to reform and modernize the agency.
“We discussed him in Makati Business Club. Quite a few members are familiar with him — apparently, he came from the private sector. He has a good reputation,” Ongpin said, speaking on behalf of the business community’s early impressions of the newly appointed Customs chief.
Ongpin commended Nepomuceno’s intelligence and openness to innovation: “Apparently he’s very bright, he’s very up to date with technology — and he has great integrity. So, we have high hopes for this guy, Mr. Nepomuceno.”
Commissioner Nepomuceno, who previously held key roles in both government and the private sector, has been widely expected to bring a more results-oriented and transparent leadership style to the BOC. The endorsement from the MBC — an influential voice in Philippine economic policy and governance — adds momentum to ongoing reform efforts at Customs, long seen as a critical chokepoint in trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations.
Observers note that such public praise from the business sector underscores the importance of trust and modernization in government institutions.
Commissioner Nepomuceno, meanwhile, has previously vowed to lead the BOC with transparency, digitalization, and accountability as top priorities.
NEWS
Nepomuceno halts unserved raids to restore order, legality at customs
6:38 p.m. July 4, 2025
In a bold first act as head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has ordered the immediate suspension of all unserved Letters of Authority (LOAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) issued before July 2, 2025—signaling a strong push to restore discipline, prevent abuse, and realign field operations with lawful and transparent practices.
The memorandum, issued on July 2, covers all LOAs and MOs across BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement Groups that have not yet been served. This decisive move comes in response to mounting concerns raised by legitimate business groups over questionable raids and enforcement excesses that have disrupted operations and eroded trust. Nepomuceno further directed all concerned Deputy Commissioners to submit within 24 hours a full status report on LOAs and MOs issued from January 1 to June 30, 2025.
“This directive is a necessary reset,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said. “We must ensure that every enforcement action moving forward is legal, current, and in line with the Bureau’s renewed focus on professionalism, transparency, and institutional accountability.”
The suspension aims to prevent unauthorized, outdated, or improperly documented operations—long viewed as a breeding ground for irregularities and abuse in field enforcement. By halting these pending operations, Nepomuceno is asserting control and sending a clear message: the BOC will no longer tolerate loose, unsupervised, or potentially exploitative enforcement activities.
This policy shift comes in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to professionalize the bureaucracy and strengthen anti-smuggling efforts without compromising legal standards. Under Nepomuceno’s leadership, the BOC is expected to pursue aggressive reforms that prioritize lawful enforcement and rebuild public trust in the institution.
“This is not about slowing down enforcement—it’s about doing it right,” Nepomuceno emphasized. “Our fight against smuggling and corruption must be anchored in discipline, not discretion.”
With this sweeping measure, the new BOC chief sets the tone for a more accountable and reform-driven agency—one that enforces the law without fear or favor, and always within the bounds of its mandate.
NEWS
Nike signature athlete Ja Morant to inspire hoopers globally thru ‘Make Them Watch Tour’
7:19 p.m. July 3, 2025
Nike and Ja Morant are teaming up to inspire athletes around the world to bring their own creativity to the game with the launch of the Make Them Watch Tour: a four-country journey that further introduces Ja to the global basketball community.
For his first international tour as a Nike signature athlete, Ja will connect with hoopers in the U.S., China, Japan and the Philippines, helping the next generation shape the game in their local communities and discover their sense of style and expression on the court.
“Basketball is all about work and creativity — putting in that grind but also playing with your own style,” says Ja. “I’m excited to pull up and share a piece of my journey with the next generation of hoopers around the world, and I also want to check how basketball is played in their own communities. Getting to learn new cultures through hoops is a unique opportunity, and I’m hyped about that.”
The Make Them Watch Tour represents Ja and Nike’s commitment to giving back to the game: championing athletes, inspiring the next generation and fueling global basketball culture. The tour also reflects a shared belief in the power of basketball to build bridges between countries, challenge young athletes to chase their dreams, and create lasting impact among athletes and fans.
Further, the Make Them Watch Tour will celebrate what hoopers around the world love most about Ja: his undeniable, electric style of play; his hard work, creativity and self-expression; and his dedication to powering the future of the game.
Ja will kick off the Make Them Watch tour in Augusta, Georgia, by inspiring young hoopers at Nike Peach Jam, the brand’s premier Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) tournament.
The tour will then take Ja to New York during a celebration of summer hoops in the city, Nike’s annual NY vs NY tournament.
From New York, Ja will travel to China, where he’ll host clinics and training opportunities for local hoopers and future stars in Mission Rise 2025, a program to give talented youth a shot to become the next world-class players. He’ll then continue to Tokyo to connect with local athletes and fans while building a deeper connection with Japanese culture.
The Make Them Watch Tour will conclude in Manila, where Ja will continue to lift up the next generation, create new experiences for athletes, learn local culture and grow the game. He’ll invite local high school players to watch his workout and inspire Filipino hoopers of all levels at a Make Them Watch exhibition game while in Manila, a hotbed of basketball culture.
For Ja, connection to the game and its culture also extends beyond the court, and he will use each stop on the Make Them Watch Tour to meet athletes and fans at Nike stores; experience the culture of the city; and explore local art, food and music.
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