Jean Henri Lhuillier: 3 Decades after, his passion for helping Philippine Tennis & Softball continues

Jean Henri Lhuillier, the visionary who changed the landscape of microfinance in the country, has been also helping transform the country’s sports program in a big way. A stalwart supporter of Philippine sports for over 30 years, his extensive contributions span multiple disciplines including basketball in the past. But most notably, Lhuillier was celebrated for his commitment to grassroots sports development and for bolstering the country’s national teams of both softball and tennis.

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TENNIS PATRON FOR 3 DECADES

Lhuillier’s first foray in supporting tennis development in the Philippines started way back in 1998 with the staging of a series of Cebuana Lhuillier Men’s Tennis Open tournaments and ever since that, there was no stopping him from pushing Philippine tennis to greater heights.

He has since helped the development of tennis in the Philippines through various ways such as grassroots program through the Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group tennis which has consistently held more than 50 tournaments nationwide for more than a decade already. From these tournaments were the likes of future national team members like Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon were discovered.

He has also been a staunch supporter of the national team having been a team manager numerous times of both the Davis Cup and Southeast Asian Games national teams. Aside from national teams, he and his company Cebuana Lhuillier has been supporting the individual international campaigns of top tennis players such as Cecil Mamiit, Eric Tainio, Katharina Lehnert and Treat Huey in the past to current stars Ruben Gonzales and Francis Casey Alcantara helping all of them reach their highest world rankings in both singles and doubles.

He was also responsible in making the sport popular in the country bringing top international players in the country through the ATP Men’s Challenger as the ITF Men’s Futures tournaments. He also was the team manager and co-owner of the Manila and Philippine Mavericks in the International Premier League with tennis superstars Serena Williams and Andy Murray among his players
As president of the Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) for 7 years, Lhuillier has been responsible also for supporting top junior players to play in Asian junior tournaments as well as the WTA Future Stars. Thru the UTP, Lhuillier continues to support nationwide tournaments in both juniors and open sections.

MAN BEHIND PHILIPPINE SOFTBALL’S RESURGENCE
As president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) for 17 years already, Lhuillier has been responsible for the resurgence of the sport of softball.
Just like in tennis, Lhuillier has been supporting both the grassroots programs as well the national teams though ASAPHIL.

ASAPHIL, under the leadership of Lhuillier has been conducting tournaments such as the annual Summer Grand Slam National Open, Batang Pinoy, Palarong Pambansa, Philippine National Games among others. They have also been active conducting softball clinics for all stakeholders: players, coaches and even tournament officials.

With Lhuillier at the helm, the RP Blu Girls and Blu Boys have been performing extremely well in internal competitions. RP Blu Girls have won 7 straight SEAGames gold medals, silver medal in the 2017 Asian Women’s Softball Championships and have been in the top 4 five times. They boast of beating several top 10 world-ranked teams in previous World Cup competitions and was previously ranked number 1 in Asia prior to the pandemic. They are currently ranked number 4 in Asia and number 12 in the world.

Not to be left behind, the RP Blu Boys have been excelling as well with 4 gold medals in SEA Games, 5 silver medals in Asian Men’s Softball championships and was top 10 in the 2022 World Cup. They are currently ranked number 3 in Asia and number 10 in the World.

But there has been no stopping for Lhuillier and his wards. This year 2023 has been a huge year for Philippine Softball in the international arena. No less than 4 national teams qualified for the World Cup.

RP Blu Boys secure a bronze medal in the 12th Men’s Softball Asia Cup last June to qualify for the Men’s Softball World Cup. The RP Blu Girls snagged fourth place in the 18th Women’s Softball Asia Cup 2023 held last July to book a World Cup berth. The Under-15 girls’ team secured a bronze medal and has additionally clinched a spot in the 2023 WBSC World Cup for U15 Women’s Softball. Meanwhile, another team groomed by ASAPHIL, the Co-ed squad, is intensively preparing for this year’s WBSC Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball World Cup, following their impressive silver medal performance in the Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball Asia Cup last May.

ON TO THE ASIAN GAMES

As his softball and tennis athletes prepare to see action in the upcoming Asian Games with the RP Blu Girls and Ruben Gonzales and Francis Casey Alcanatar vying for medals, Jean Henri Lhuillier declares he will not pause until the Philippines’ softball and tennis teams under his watch succeed in seizing the glory and recognition they so deserve. Far from resting on his laurels, Lhuillier is energized for the challenges ahead:
“I’m just getting started. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of Philippine softball and tennis. I firmly believe we have the potential to be world leaders in these sports, and I am committed to making this vision a reality.”

Reference: https://sports.inquirer.net/530629/jean-henri-lhuillier-3-decades-after-his-passion-for-helping-philippine-and-softball-continues#ixzz8LYHjcvvg

CORPORATE AGENT PARTNERS

  • ACTION.ABLE, INC.
  • ALL ACCESS GATEWAY INC.
  • ANTRECCO (AGUSAN DEL NORTE TEACHERS, RETIREES, EMPLOYEES & COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE)
  • ACM VIP
  • ALL CASH
  • AGRILIFE/ AGRIVET
  • ASENSO PINOY STORE, INC. (EASY DAY SHOP)
  • AVICOM ENTERPRISES
  • AYALA ALABANG VILLAGE ASSOCIATION
  • BAUG CARP MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • BAGUIO BENGUET COOP
  • CARD BANK INC
  • CARD MRI RIZAL BANK INC
  • CARD SME BANK
  • CARITAS BANCO NG MASA, INC.
  • CEBU PEOPLE’S MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • CIS BAYAD CENTER, INC
  • COOPERATIVE BANK OF BOHOL, INC
  • COUNTRY BUILDERS BANK
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • AEON CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (VIA ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ALLIANZ PNB LIFE INSURANCE INC.
  • ALPHA FUND SAVINGS & CREDIT COOPERATIVE (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMADEO WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • AMYA POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, INC. AND FINANCING CORPORATION (LENDPINOY)
  • ANGAT WATER DISTRICT (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANGELES ELECTRIC COMPANY ANGELICUM SCHOOL , INC. ILOILO CITY (VIA ECPAY)
  • ANJELMAN REAL ESTATE LEASING
  • ANTIQUE ELECTRIC COOP, INC ANTRECCO (BILLS PAYMENT)

OVER 600 BILLER PARTNERS NATIONWIDE

  • 123 FINANCE CORPORATION
  • 123 LENDING CORPORATION
  • 2C2P
  • 8AMC (VIA ECPAY)
  • ABEJO WATERS CORP.
  • ABRA
  • ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION
  • ACTIVE REALTY & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
  • ADA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION (VIA ECPAY)
  • CREDIT SERVICE
  • AETERNITAS CHAPELS AND COLUMBARIUM (via ECPAY)
  • AFC SME FINANCE INC
  • AFTERWEST MICROLOANS INC
  • AGODA – DRAGONPAY
  • AGRIBANK
  • AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF THE PHILS.
  • AGUSAN DEL NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • AIR YOU GO TRAVELS PHILIPPINES CO.
  • AKLAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
  • ALAMINOS CITY WATER DISTRICT (via ECPAY)
  • CREDENCE FINANCING, INC.
  • CURAMED PHARMACY
  • DALTON PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY INC.
  • DANIELA PAWNSHOP
  • DIRECT AGENT 5 (DA 5)
  • DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILS.
  • EXPRESSPAY INC.
  • EVRIJEM FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND MONEY REMITTANCE
  • FILHAI MULTI PURPOSE COOPERATIVE
  • GLOBAL PINOY REMITTANCE AND SERVICES (GPRS)
  • GEMARY PAWNSHOP AND JEWELRY (CORP.)

List of Accepted Government/ Valid IDs

  • Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
  • National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
  • Police Clearance
  • Postal ID
  • Voter’s ID
  • Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) ID
  • Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
  • Social Security System (SSS) ID
  • Senior Citizen’s ID
  • Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
  • OFW ID
  • Seaman’s Book
  • Alien Certification of Registration (ACR)
  • Barangay Certificate or ID (with picture and signature)
  • Birth Certificate (applicable to minors only)
  • Firearm License
  • Immigrant Certificate of Registration
  • Marriage License
  • National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
  • New TIN ID
  • OWWA ID
  • Student ID
  • Alien Certification of Registration (ACR) / Immigrant Certificate of Registration
  • Government Office or Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) ID (e.g. AFP ID, HDMF (Pag-ibig Fund) ID, etc.
  • Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
  • Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
  • Integrated Bar of the Philippines ID (IBP)
  • Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) or IC (Insurance Commission)

IDs Accepted

As required by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), clients who engage in a financial transaction with covered institutions for the first time shall be required to present the original and submit a clear copy of at least ONE (1) valid photo-bearing identification document issued by an official authority. For our clients’ convenience, Cebuana no longer requires submission of the photocopied ID. IDs are captured using a webcam in all branches. Clients are also required to submit an updated photo and other relevant information whenever the need for it arises.

Forms of identification accepted are the following;

Pawn Accepted IDs
1. Passport
2. Driver’s License
3. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID
4. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
5. Police Clearance
6. Postal ID
7. Voter’s ID
8. Philippine Identification (PhilID) card
9. Social Security System (SSS) Card / Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID)
10. Barangay Certification
11. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) e-Card
12. Senior Citizen Card
13. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ID
14. OFW ID
15. Seaman’s Book
16. Alien Certification of Registration/Immigrant Certificate of Registration (for foreigners)
17. Government Office and GOCC ID, e.g., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP ID)
18. Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF ID)
19. Certification from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)
20. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Certification
21. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID
22. Company IDs issued by private entities or institutions registered with or supervised or regulated either by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Securities and Exchange Commission or Insurance Commission
23. ID issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)