FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship ambassadors Bryan Bagunas and Eya Laure with indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben during a press conference.–Lance Agcaoili/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Bryan Bagunas and Eya Laure were named ambassadors for the country’s hosting of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship from September 12-28 at Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum.
Indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben, meanwhile, will be the official music partner.
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More than representing Alas Pilipinas in its historic world debut, Bagunas, who is recovering from a knee injury, is determined to inspire the next generation of men’s volleyball players in the country.
READ: Historic FIVB world hosting gets full backing from different sides
Eya Laure on being one of the #MWCH2025 ambassadors @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/FE6bO27AH8
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 4, 2025
“Being an ambassador sa Volleyball Men’s World Championship, siyempre honored ako dito, so gusto ko rin mapakita sa mga young volleyball athletes na siguro ito ‘yung start para mag-grow ‘yung men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas. This is the chance na maipakita natin, not locally, not in Southeast Asia lang, to the world,” Bagunas told reporters.
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“Ito ‘yung chance natin mapakita kung ano meron tayo sa men’s volleyball. Siguro dun palang, marami kami ma-inspire. Not only me, siyempre lahat ng Alas Men’s Volleyball.”
Laure, the women’s national team rising star, is also ready to use her platform and influence to contribute to the continuous rise of Philippine men’s volleyball.
“It’s such an honor talaga na men’s world volleyball (championship) ‘yung ipo-promote ko rin talaga. Ibig sabihin best of the best talaga kaya sobrang saya nung nalaman ko. Magkakaroon din ako ng opportunity, lahat naman tayo, na mapanood ang word class men’s volleyball dito sa Pilipinas,” said Laure.
Besides Laure and Bagunas, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and AVC president Tats Suzara welcomed their music parter Ben&Ben — a nine-strong ensemble composed 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), who wrote the official world championship song titled ‘Triumph.’
READ: Alas Pilipinas set for overseas training for FIVB men’s worlds
Eya Laure and Bryan Bagunas are the #MWCH2025 Ambassadors @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/YpNLgC6AoQ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 4, 2025
“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,” said Suzara with Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, who co-chairs the LOC executive board and PNVF chairman emeritus with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Senator Pia Cayetano.
Triumph came out last year as a pre-release single of Ben&Ben’s third album titled “The Traveller Across Dimensions”, rising as a Filipino anthem for empowerment, resilience and hope that mirrors the Philippine sports, especially volleyball.
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“We at Ben&Ben are happy and proud to be the official music partner for this historic event. Our new song Triumph has that love, passion and drive that’s exactly for volleyball and the world championship our country is hosting,” said Paolo.
Alas Pilipinas is slated to face 11-time African champion Tunisia, current Africa titlist and Paris Olympian Egypt, and 2024 Asian Championship runner-up Iran in Group A.
The PNVF will hold International Road Show, Mascot Contest and Launch, Trophy Tour, Media Broadcast Conference, Team Managers Meeting, Test Event and the 100-Day Countdown in June.
