In a landmark initiative blending athletic excellence with character formation, the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) formalized its partnership with the Villaroman Golf Academy (VGA) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held at the UA&P campus on September 1, 2025. The collaboration marks UA&P as the first university in the Philippines acknowledged by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) to integrate golf into its Physical Education program.

The MOU signing was led by UA&P President Atty. John Philip R. Yeung and VGA President Mr. Carito M. Villaroman, with Mr. Valeriano L. Floro II, Secretary General of NGAP, and Dr. Fe Gladys B. Golo, Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs of UA&P, as witnesses.

In attendance were the UA&P Management Committee, alumni community, student-athletes, and representatives from VGA, NGAP, Inquirer Golf, and Robinsons Land Corporation.

“This initiative is a testament to UA&P’s pioneering and forward-thinking vision—recognizing that golf is more than just a sport, but a powerful tool for personal development and character formation,” said Villaroman. “We look forward to developing a program that not only enhances skills but also nurtures integrity, patience, and focus—qualities our students can carry with them throughout life.”

For UA&P, the partnership goes beyond athletic programming. “We are integrating golf into our curriculum not just because it is a business sport, but because it is a game that develops men and women of character, men and women of integrity,” said Atty. Yeung. “We wanted to partner with VGA not because of their track record or their new facility in Aguinaldo that is very accessible to our students, but because of their shared emphasis on values formation through golf.”

VGA, known for developing international-caliber golfers including Bianca Pagdanganan and Yuka Saso, brings technical expertise, coaching support, and event coordination to the table. The Academy’s emphasis on character development aligns closely with UA&P’s educational philosophy.

The significance of this partnership was underscored by Mr. Valeriano Floro II, Secretary General of NGAP:

“This has never happened in the Philippines. Golf in schools has been an impossible task—until today. UA&P’s initiative is a big step in growing the game, and we hope other institutions will follow.”

Dr. Stella Urbiztondo, UA&P’s sports education expert, delivered a stirring call to action on the importance of intentional, values-based sports formation.

“True competition is not about striving against an opponent, but striving with them in the shared pursuit of excellence,” she said. “What we witnessed today was not merely a document signing—it is a shared commitment to ensure the values in sport are not just experienced, but intentionally and systematically taught.”

Under the MOU, VGA will provide technical coaching, resource persons, and assistance in organizing golf-related events and competitions. UA&P will incorporate golf into its PE and sports programs and promote it as a viable, values-driven sport for the Filipino youth.

As Atty. Yeung noted in his address, “Golf, often called a gentleman’s sport, is rightly understood as a game of integrity. It calls for honor, self-awareness, and respect—virtues that mirror the kind of leadership we aim to cultivate in our students.”

With this partnership, UA&P and VGA aim to not only produce better athletes but to form champions of life.#