| The 2026 Berjaya-Malaysia Friendship Open Cup press conference (photo: George Buid) |
On
November 28, 2026, Saturday, the annual Berjaya-Malaysia Friendship Open Cup, organized
by Malaysia Friendship Golf (MYFG), will take place at the Pradera Verde Golf
and Country Club (a par 72, 18 to 36-hole championship parkland course) in Prado
Sionco, Lubao, Pampanga. Now on its fourth edition, it is an annual charity
golf tournament hosted in the Philippines by the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila and the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries Philippines (MCCI),
a non-profit organization. Malaysia is the first ASEAN member to have a
business chamber in the Philippines.

Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club (photo: Facebook Page)
Last
October 30, 2026, Friday, his Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castellino, the Ambassador of Malaysia to the
Philippines, together with Mr. Stephen
Khaw (MYFG Chairman and MCCI Founder and Chairman), Mr. How Han Hui (President of MCCI) and Mr.
Leo Laca (Berjaya Philippines, Inc.
Resources Director), officially announced the opening of the Berjaya-Malaysia
Friendship Open 2026 to invited members of online and print media during a
press conference held at the Malaysia Banquet Hall of the Malaysian Embassy in
Makati.

Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castellino (photo: Mr. George Buid)
Berjaya
Philippines, Inc., which has historically joined and supported the gathering
alongside other regional businesses and hospitality groups, is again a major
sponsor. This year’s tournament’s
competing pool, comprising approximately 288 participants, includes members of
the diplomatic corps, government officials, corporate executives and golf
enthusiasts from Malaysia, the Philippines and the broader international
community based in the Philippines.

Mr. Stephen Khaw (photo: Mr. George Buid)
As
with past tournaments, all proceeds from this year’s tournament will be
directed towards charitable initiatives and humanitarian efforts, providing
much-needed assistance and emergency relief to vulnerable communities affected
by natural calamities and disasters. Stephen Khaw emphasized that 100% of the
proceeds will be channeled to corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs
under the auspices of the Embassy of Malaysia and the MCCI.
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| Mr. How Han Hui (photo: Mr. George Buid) |
During
the press conference, Ambassador Castellino stated, in a message, that “Every
swing that golfers take contributes directly to rebuilding lives and helping
communities recover.” Highlighting a need for future support, especially as the
Philippines is set to face the onset of a “Super” El Niño in the coming months,
Castellino added that “Beyond that, we also hope to see how we can develop
these communities to build stronger resilience and capacity.”

Mr. Leo Laca (photo: Mr. George Buid)
The
ambassador also underscored the event’s significance in promoting goodwill,
sportsmanship and cross-border collaboration. The tournament aims to serve as a
platform for fostering stronger partnerships, mutual understanding and unity
across diverse cultures and communities. Beyond the golf course, the event
seeks to encourage meaningful, long-term connections that will leave a lasting
positive impact.
The prime movers of the Berjaya-Malaysia Friendship Open.....
The Embassy of Malaysia in Manila again anticipates that this tournament will serve as an effective platform for building connections between Filipino and Malaysian businesses, as well as the international community. This will foster the establishment of lasting ties that will be advantageous for both Malaysia and the Philippines, while also enhancing collaboration across all sectors.
The trophies to be awarded to the winners
The Berjaya-Malaysia Friendship Open 2026 aims to establish better connections between the two countries in a shared commitment to peace, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. The 2026 tournament carries added significance as it coincides with the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship, highlighting the country’s leadership in promoting regional unity and cooperation across Southeast Asia. It also complements Malaysia’s ongoing tourism promotion efforts under Visit Malaysia Year 2026–2027, which seek to welcome more international visitors and strengthen regional tourism ties. Together, these initiatives reflect the shared commitment of both countries to promoting peace, economic cooperation and cultural exchange.

