Mayor ‘Emi’ Cup Pro-Am golf tilt fires off Thursday at Villamor

Photo: Organizing officials (from left) tournament coordinator Darren Evangelista, tournament Director Luigi Rubiano, EDCFI president Edgardo ‘Ka Egay’ Rubiano, PGAP president Johnnel Bulawit, PGAP Executive Secretary Elisa Villalba and teaching pro-Luis Paraiso during a media conference for the Mayor Emi Cup golf championship. GENIE VILLOTA

A TOTAL of 285 golfers, including over 100 professionals from the Professional Golfers Association of the Philippines (PGAP), will compete in the 1st Pasay Mayor ‘Emi’ Cup Pro-Am golf championship starting Thursday (September 21) at the Villamor golf course in Pasay City.

Newly elected PGAP president Johnnel Bulawit announced that the total prize money allocated for four categories – touring pro, teaching pro, seniors, and super seniors – is P1 million for the association’s first tournament after a long year of silence.

Among the prominent names in the industry who will join are former Asian Games campaigners Jonnel Ababa, and Tony Lascuna as well as senior players who have been overlooked in the community for a long time.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga sponsors, sa tiwala ni Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, gayundin sa Eduardo Duay Calixto Foundation Inc. sa pangungunani Pasay City First Gentleman Edgardo ‘Ka Egay’ Rubiano at nabigyan nang pagkakataon ang ating mga pro golfers na mahabang taon ding naapektuhan ng pandemya,” said Bulawit during media conference on Tuesday at the Shakey’s Malate.

The two-day tournament is a fund-raising event that will benefit students, seniors, and residents of Pasay City, as well as other institutions under the Calixto Foundation program.

“We in the city of Pasay and the Calixto Foundation are glad that we have partnered with PGAP to promote the program that will help not only our pros and senior golfers but also our less fortunate citizens whom the Calixto Foundation supports,” said Rubiano, who was joined by his son and EDCFI Board member Luigi Rubiano, PGAP Executive Secretary Elisa Villalba, tournament director Luis Paraiso and coordinator Darren Evangelista.

“Buo puso po ang pasasalamat naming sa mga tumulong na sponsors. Yung iba pa na gusto humabol, bukas pa po ang pintuan, kahit last-minute yan puwedeng puwede pa,” added Luigi Rubiano.

The shotgun tee-off will begin at 6:00 a.m., while the second batch for the tournament’s first round will be held at 12:00 p.m.

“Inaanyayahan po natin ang lahat na makiisa at sumali sa ating torneo, yung mga amateur players may pagkakataob pa po kayong sumali dito sa ating torneo na may puso, dahil hindi lamang ang golfing community ang natulungan natin pati na rin ang ating mga kapus-palad na kababayan,” stressed Villalba.

Villalba added that expects more tournaments in the coming months as the new PGAP leadership is already finalizing programs with other Local Government Units (LGUs) and private institutions.