BIZ BUZZ: From Pogo to polo

This just in, straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.

It appears that there are moves to revive the game of polo at the Ayala Alabang Country Club, which apparently wants to elevate its image and rival that of the ultra-exclusive Manila Golf and Manila Polo clubs in nearby Makati City.

To the mind of some of these leaders at Ayala Alabang Country Club, what better way to elevate their brand than to make the club ready to host deep-pocketed members and their guests eager to play the revered sport of kings.

READ: Pogo elements in a posh village

Polo was once regularly played at Ayala Alabang Country Club but because there are just a few who can actually play it—and afford having thoroughbreds housed and taken care of there—it was discontinued and the field had since been used for other field sports such as baseball and football that can attract more people.

Thus, many members and officials are cool to the idea of displacing these other sports to make way for polo. They are also not thrilled at the proposal to spend more on constructing stables that necessarily go with polo.

But as Biz Buzz sources say, those on the pro-polo camp are quite determined to make it happen, and are willing to do what it takes to convince the majority to agree to the measure.

Thus, expect an animated discussion on the proposal, which is but the latest to cause a stir in the elite club that is just starting to rejoice over the phaseout of the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) by yearend, and the departure of Pogo-affiliated residents from their midst.

As one source said, from Pogo, now they have to confront polo. Abangan! —Tina Arceo-Dumlao

The Mansion gets a facelift

The rehabilitation works at the The Mansion House, the official residence of the President in the country’s summer capital, is already halfway complete, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Once done, the vacation house will feature a new Presidential Museum containing galleries of the country’s past presidents.

“This upgrade, which aims to preserve the historical heritage and architecture of The Museum, will be completed by May 2025,” DPWH-Cordillera Administrative Region Director Khadaffy Tanggol said.

The DPWH is also working on the repair of the conference hall and construction of a technical inspection center. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad