Konsyerto sa Palasyo Para sa Atletang Pilipino

MANILA — Owing to their contribution in the field of sports, particularly in mixed martial arts, members of Team Lakay joined other Filipino athletes during the second Konsyerto sa Palasyo (KSP) at the Malacañang Grounds.

On Sunday, August 6, 2023, Coach Mark Sangiao, joined by his son Jhanlo as well as Carlo Von Bumina-ang fresh from their ONE Championship endeavors in Thailand, along with contingents of Team Lakay fighters, gathered alongside over 300 athletes in recognition of their collective dedication in elevating the nation’s pride and honor.

Among the honored guests were world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, gymnastics sensation Carlos Yulo, former national fencer Richard Gomez and the groundbreaking women’s national football team or Filipinas, which made history in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sangiao and Team Lakay stood as the exclusive non-national team representatives, receiving personal invitations from USec. Franz Imperial and ASec. Karen Alvarez of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The occasion marked a tribute, orchestrated by the Office of the President in collaboration with PCO and RTVM, that underscored their remarkable contributions.

Since redirecting his attention towards coaching in 2009, Sangiao has yielded an impressive harvest of seven MMA world champions, along with a cadre of accomplished martial artists who have garnered multiple medals in amateur competitions.

In an interview during the KSP event, Sangiao said shifting to full time coaching has been one of the hardest decisions he had to make during that time, as he was still an active fighter.          

But his decision to become a full time coach is his biggest achievement, building Team Lakay from the ground and turning it into becoming one of the best MMA gyms in Asia.

“Consitency, being hands-on to fighters, kelangan nandyan ka palagi sa gym. Kaya tayo naka pag-produce ng world champion dahil ganyan ang mindset natin,” Sangiao said.  

And with the new faces of Team Lakay now making a name for themselves, Sangiao said he is still on the lookout for future world champions.

KSP is a concert series that seeks to showcase the talents of emerging performing artists while recognizing the contributions of different sectors.

KSP, which started last April, aims to support the pandemic-hit creative industries.

The first of the concert series was dubbed “Awit ng Magiting” and was dedicated to soldiers.