Building Up: The Dual Commitment of ABC to UST and NU Sports

Photo Sources: Paulo Pe, The Varsitarian

In Philippine collegiate sports, it’s common for brands and companies to align with university teams as part of their marketing efforts. But for Paulo Pe, owner of ABC (Archipelago Builders Corporation) and Archi Cast, the decision to support the UST men’s and women’s basketball teams and the NU men’s volleyball team runs much deeper than just business.

Pe’s motivation is rooted in personal history, values passed down from generations, and a strong belief in sports as a vehicle for character development.

Archipelago Builders was founded on the dream of Pe’s grandfather, who set out to build across the Philippines with just 50 pesos in his pocket. That vision eventually materialized into a company that now operates with a Triple-A license, backed by years of steady growth, practical experience, and a deep investment in its people. According to Pe, one of their early survey staff eventually became an engineer and was promoted to a key leadership role within the company – an example of how ABC values education and internal development.

As the company matured, it also expanded its infrastructure with two precast plants – Archiwall and Archi Cast – built to increase efficiency and reduce construction costs. Pe says the improvements help not only ABC but also its clients, keeping with their long-standing mission to invest in the industry they serve.

It’s this foundation that led ABC and Archi Cast to begin supporting UST’s basketball teams, a partnership that came together after school representatives, including Fr. Luanzon and Fr. Cansancio, reconnected with Pe’s father – also a UST alumnus – during his 60th birthday. What started as a meaningful reunion soon became a formal collaboration.

“As an athlete ourselves – me and Dad – we believe athletes are great people,” said Pe. “They know how to serve, how to work hard, and they understand delayed gratification.”

Although the financial support is modest compared to major backers, Pe said the sponsorship is meant to provide a cushion for players’ expenses and contribute to a competitive program that has deep personal ties. Having played for UST for five years, he still remembers the loyalty of the Thomasian crowd.

“They don’t care where they sit, they’ll support the team from anywhere. That always stuck with me.”

On the other hand, Pe’s support for NU men’s volleyball came about under very different circumstances. During the height of the pandemic, many developers froze projects. SM, the parent company of National University, decided to push through with theirs—on the condition that health protocols were strictly followed. That decision gave ABC a vital cash flow and kept workers employed during uncertain times.

“Most developers chose to defer projects. SM didn’t. That kept us alive,” said Pe. “When we completed those projects, they also assisted us in covering cost increases due to the pandemic.”

Feeling a strong sense of gratitude, Pe volunteered to sponsor NU’s men’s volleyball team three years ago. Since then, the partnership has blossomed. NU has won the last four championships, and Pe says his relationship with the team feels like a second family.

“We’ve trained together. They support me at alumni games. I’ve also met amazing people through the team – industry leaders who I’ve always looked up to. Being at the same table with them is incredibly fulfilling.”

Unlike with UST, Pe’s companies play a larger role with NU, serving as major sponsors. The focus goes beyond winning, with an emphasis on ensuring that athletes leave the program with improved lives and better opportunities, especially as men’s volleyball doesn’t get the same exposure or pathways that basketball does.

Pe says that aligning with NU and the SM Group was easy because they share values – particularly a commitment to education, hard work, and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult. Those are the same principles passed down from his grandfather and practiced at ABC.

“Their vision reminds me of my grandfather’s,” he said. “It wasn’t a hard decision to align with people who helped us and who believe in the same things we do.”

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While the roles and scale of support differ between the two partnerships, Pe says the goal is the same: to contribute in a way that lasts. At NU, the aim is to elevate players and give them pathways to succeed, possibly even on international stages. At UST, it’s about giving back to the community and school that shaped him and his father.

“I don’t know yet if we’ll expand to support other teams,” Pe admitted. “But we’re in this with UST and NU for the long term.”

Pe, who still plays basketball regularly, sees sports as a natural extension of his life and business philosophy. It’s about dedication, doing the hard work day in and day out, and trusting the process.

“In the end, anytime you’re part of a championship organization, it’s a good thing for the company – and for your own growth.”