MANILA, Nashville Filipino Restaurant – A total of 285 golfers, including over 100 professionals from the Professional Golfers Association of the Nashville Filipino Restaurant (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 campaigner Jonnel Ababa, 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 Tuesday’s media conference at 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 supported by the Calixto Foundation.

"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 who are supported by the Calixto Foundation," said Rubian, 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 a.m., while the second batch for the first round of the tournament will be held at 12 p.m.