FDG Badminton Cup 2023

It is my privilege to be part of arguably one of the longest, biggest, and most prestigious badminton tournaments here in the country and I am happy to share every bit of all the happenings here. If you want more details about this feel free to read along.

FDG Badminton Cup 2023

The FDG Badminton Cup is named after Mr. Frederick D. Go who is the president and CEO of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC). The tournament was first held last 2005 participated by friends, employees of RLC, and business partners. And it is still kicking as of today, 2023, now joined by some international badminton superstars.

All game categories are now covered (Men's Doubles - MD, Women's Doubles - WD, Mixed Doubles - XD, Men's Singles - MS, & Women's Singles - WS) and even seed points can also be gained by participating in a chance to be part of the official Philippine badminton team.

There are 2 game modes that simultaneously happen which are the corporate and the open. Since the FDG Cup started with its own circle, that game mode falls under the corporate tournament. Of course, the other one is the open tournament where everybody is free to join & register.

FDG Cup 2023 photo op

FDG Cup at The Upper deck

This year, the qualifying rounds up until the quarter-finals all took place at The Upper Deck for both open & corporate. Day 1 & Day 2 are for the qualifying rounds via elimination. Day 3 was for the quarter-finals for the open tournament while the corporate part starts.

FDG Cup live set up

FDG Cup games in action

During this period, a lot of great varsity players from different universities, badminton personalities, and top-seeded athletes (Philippine team) were seen and some of them are the following:

Noel Hernandez & Gabrielle Ganoy of Adamson University

Kevin Dalisay & Bianca Carlos

Kennevic Asuncion & Angelu de Leon

Julius Villabrille & Solomon Jr. Padiz

Frankie Velasco

Jewel Angelo Albo

Ros Leenard Pedrosa

Mark Anthony Velasco

Mike Minuluan

While some of the international players I got to cover were the following:

Nanami Someya & Yudai Nagafuchi (Japan)

Tovannakasame Samatcha (Thailand)

Ann-Kathrin Spoeri (Germany)

Hannah Karkaus (Finland) & Siriyanisa Waiariyaphochchong (Thailand)

Tan Zhang & Pang Chin Teen (Malaysia)

Shahrul Shazwan (Malaysia)

P.S. If you want to see more of the featured local & international players that participated, feel free to click the links at the bottom for the video reels.

The opening of the corporate tournament was graced by the main guests who are the badminton superstars of Korea, Lee Yong Dae and Kim Gi Jung.

Frederick D. Go with Lee Yong Dae & Kim Gi Jung

There were many perks in the corporate games as food stubs are provided and a sports bag with loot items inside including some snacks, a tumbler, a water bottle, some chocolates, and those cool FDG shirts. These are all aside from the prize money per level and another prize money per team. But wait there's more (lol), read along to know them.

FDG Badminton Cup loot bag

Going to the semis and finals, all games were done inside the Robinsons Place Manila. It was hosted by the volleyball personality turned-host Gretchen Ho and Darren Espanto performed a sing-and-dance number (short clip in the last video reel link at the bottom). The setup was really clean and it was so nice to see badminton games being watched by a crowd. Good job FDG Cup team and to all the people behind it! If you really love the sport, you will appreciate the exposure.

FDG Cup finals in Robinsons Place Manila

An exhibition match was done by Mr. Frederick D. Go & Lee Yong Dae versus Mr. Kennevic Asuncion & Kim Gi Jung. Lee Yong Dae was entertaining the audience with his goofy moves and trick shots so it was a sight to see.

exhibition match (badminton)

FDG & LYD vs KVA & KGJ

After some picture taking and autograph signing with the badminton superstars, the finals games resume and people were cheering for their favorites (like crazy. Haha!). A lot of "ohhhs", "ahhhs", and "waaahs" were heard during long and intense rallies and when some trick shots were performed.

finals games (FDG Cup) 

The awarding ceremony was done at the New Coast Hotel Manila and it looks really neat and classy.

FDG Cup awarding at New Coast Hotel Manila

Continuing the perks of the corporate games (and now with the tournament finalists, winners, and invited guests), this celebration not only offered a great setting for the awarding but provided the following:

buffet with delicious foods

big-time raffle items

This awarding ceremony was still hosted by Ms. Gretchen Ho and she was doing a great job. Since this is her Nth stint already for this same tournament, some personal inputs and relateable comments were being thrown away. I was amused. Lol.

Gretchen Ho at FDG Cup awarding

Frederick D. Go (FDG) with Kim Gi Jung (KGJ) &  Lee Yong Dae (LYD) at the awarding

Elite-level winners (corporate invitational)

The open category was dominated by the following:

Mixed doubles winners

Champion

Christian Bernardo & Thea Marie Pomar

1st Runner-up

Alvin Morada & Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo

2nd Runner-up

Solomon Jr. Padiz & Eleonor Christine Inlayo

Julius Villabrille & Airah Mae Nicole Albo

FDG Cup 2023 Mix Doubles winners (Open)

Women's doubles winners

Champion

Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo & Thea Marie Pomar

1st Runner-up

Airah Mae Nicole Albo & Eleonor Christine Inlayo

2nd Runner-up

Missy Cervantes & Siriyanisa Waiariyaphochchong (THAI)

Anna Patricia Barredo & Joella Geva De Vera

FDG Cup 2023 Women's Doubles winners

Men's doubles winners

Champion

Solomon Jr. Padiz & Julius Villabrille

1st Runner-up

Christian Bernardo & Alvin Morada

2nd Runner-up

Arthur Samuel Salvado Jr. & Naufal Saufik (INDO)

John Matthew Bernardo & Mike Minuluan

FDG Cup 2023 Men's Doubles winners

Women's singles winners

Champion

Nanami Someya (JAP)

1st Runner-up

Thi Trang (VIET)

2nd Runner-up

Mikaela Joy De Guzman

Janelle Anne Andres

FDG Cup 2023 Women's Singles winners

Men's singles winners

Champion

Yudai Nagafuchi (JAP)

1st Runner-up

Muh Kasra (INDO)

2nd Runner-up

Jewel Angelo Albo

Mark Anthony Velasco

FDG Cup 2023 Men's Singles winners

The Filipino band Aegis capped the night which ended the awarding ceremony with high energy. The whole place went "Karaoke mode" as they play and sing their popular hits like "Luha" & "Basang-basa sa ulan".

Aegis at FDG Cup 2023 awarding

It was an enjoyable and memorable night. 

FDG Cup 2023 awarding (decent photo)

FDG Cup 2023 awarding (groupie)

This FDG badminton cup tournament happens every year and with how generous things go here, you'll just appreciate their love and passion for the sport, athletes, and their corporate family. I am appreciating all the things (seen or not seen) behind this whole event. Kudos to you all for making this happen. Galing!

Watch some of the live-action I got to cover this FDG badminton cup 2023 here on these Facebook video reels:

Day1 (Qualifying rounds): https://www.facebook.com/reel/540836858076590

Day3 (Quarter-Finals & Corporate opening): https://www.facebook.com/reel/761266815743218

Day4  (Finals & Awarding night): https://www.facebook.com/reel/800938584693186

Email: [email protected]

Web page: https://www.fdgcup.ph/

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/fdgcup

Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/fdgcup/