Manila Polo Club

Last updated
Manila Polo Club
Company type Polo club / Private club
FoundedAugust 18, 1909 (1909-08-18) Pasay, Rizal, Philippine Islands
Founder William Cameron Forbes
Headquarters McKinley Road, Forbes Park,
Makati, Metro Manila
,
Philippines
ServicesLeisure amenities for members, Polo match organization, Events venue
Website www.manilapolo.com.ph

The Manila Polo Club is the premiere polo club in the Philippines. It was established in 1909 during the American colonial era by Governor General William Cameron Forbes as a venue for polo and leisure for the wealthy elite. It was originally located in Pasay prior to World War II, after which it transferred to its present location in Forbes Park, Makati.

Contents

History

William Cameron Forbes, the founder of the Manila Polo Club. W. Cameron Forbes cph.3b13852.jpg
William Cameron Forbes, the founder of the Manila Polo Club.
Manila Polo Club, date unknown Philippine Island - Manila - NARA - 68156673.jpg
Manila Polo Club, date unknown

Early years: American period

The Manila Polo Club was incorporated on August 18, 1909 [1] by American William Cameron Forbes, who would start serving as Governor-General of the Philippines within the same year. Forbes was a polo enthusiast who owned two polo fields in his estate in Boston, envisioned the club as a venue for polo and leisure for "gentlemen of a certain class" assigned to work in the Philippines like himself. [2] Forbes is credited for establishing the first polo field in the Philippines [3] and served as delegate of the club until the outbreak of World War II. [4] The clubhouse was inaugurated on November 27, 1909. [1]

The original location of the clubhouse was situated on land acquired by Forbes himself using his own money, along Calle Real (now F.B. Harrison Avenue) in Pasay. The club's membership was primarily American in its early years, and also had foreigners with different nationalities as its members. Complying with Forbes's original intention for the club, less than 20 percent of the club at that time were native Filipinos. [2]

Aside from being a key figure in the club's establishment, Forbes also aided the growth of the club's reputation internationally due to his work as a writer and contributor for polo magazines published outside the Philippine islands. One of the high profile guests of the club in the pre-World War II era was then Prince of Wales Edward VIII, who played a polo match with an American team at the MPC's clubhouse. [2]

In July 1922, the Manila Polo Club became a member of the United States Polo Association, which led to the organization of the Far Eastern Circuit, which saw the participation of several army camps. [4]

In the 1930s, a dispute regarding the application of an aspirant member caused a schism. The club voted against the membership application of Manuel Nieto, a colonel who served as an aide to then-Philippine President Manuel Quezon, which caused the Elizalde brothers to resign their membership with the club [2] and found the Los Tamaraos Polo Club in 1937. [3]

World War II and relocation

When the Japanese occupied the Philippines during the World War II, the Manila Polo Club was taken over by the Japanese military and converted to become the Japanese Navy Recreation Club. [4] The original clubhouse was later burned down during the Battle of Manila of 1945. [2]

After the war, the club was temporarily hosted in a 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres) property along Dewey Boulevard (now Roxas Boulevard) [2] in Pasay. Businessmen Alfonso Zóbel de Ayala & Joseph McMicking of Ayala y Compañía convinced the club to move to Makati, particularly in an area which was being developed by their company. That area would later be known as Forbes Park, named after club founder Forbes. [5] The new Manila Polo Club opened in 1949, with its clubhouse having been designed by Pablo S. Antonio, Sr. [6] By the sixties, more Filipinos and non-American foreigners had become members of the club, and in 1964, the club elected Enrique J. Zóbel as its president, marking the first time the club was led by a Filipino. [2]

Reforms

The Manila Polo Club became a proprietary share club in 1979 and under the new set-up, the club's membership was required to consist of 60 percent Filipino and 40 percent foreign. In 1983, the club allowed the transfer of shares to widows of its male members, allowing women to become full members. María Paz Rufino Laurel-Tanjangco was the first female member of the club. In 1987, gender-related restrictions on membership was dropped. Maribel Ongpin became the club's first female board member in 1995 and Isabel Caro Wilson became the club's first female president. [2]

McKinley Road entrance 448McKinley Road Forbes Park Makati City 37.jpg
McKinley Road entrance

Membership

Membership in the Manila Polo Club is reserved for very affluent individuals due to the high cost of shares of stock in the club. [7] However, ownership of shares does not necessarily equate to membership. To become a member, an aspirant must secure referrals from two current members and endorsements from five other current members. The name of the aspirant is posted on the club's bulletin board for 30 days, and any member can provide to the membership committee any feedback regarding the aspirant. By the end of the 30-day period, the membership committee schedules an interview with the aspirant, after which the members of the committee anonymously vote by casting a black or white ball - the former signifies rejection - to approve or deny an aspirant's application. If rejected, an aspirant could apply for membership again after six months. [2]

Prior to 1983, membership was restricted to males, although wives of members were allowed to use the club's facilities. The club's facilities are also available for rental to non-members, provided that there is sponsorship from a member. [2]

As per the organization's by-laws, the incumbent President of the Philippines and the incumbent Mayor of Makati are granted honorary membership and do not have to pay for shares in stock of the club; they can use the facilities of the club, but they have to pay like the regular members do. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nielson Field</span>

Nielson Field was the location of the Far East Air Force headquarters. Most of the aircraft of the FEAF were based at either Clark Field or Nichols Field. The cultural site was an Honourable Mention in the 2001 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makati</span> Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines

Makati, officially the City of Makati, is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines, known for being one of the leading financial center in the country. As of 2013, the city has the highest concentration of multinational and local corporations in the Philippines. Major banks, corporations, department stores as well as foreign embassies are based in Makati. Makati is also known for being a major cultural and entertainment hub in Metro Manila. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 629,616 people, making it as the 47th most populous city in the country and ranked as the 41st most densely populated city in the world with 19,336 inhabitants per square kilometer or 50,080 inhabitants per square mile. In 2023, ten eastern barangays were removed from Makati's jurisdiction as a result of the Makati–Taguig boundary dispute ruling, resulting in a reduction of the city's population to 292,743. Although its population was just above half a million, the daytime population of the city is estimated to be more than three million during a typical working day because of the large number of people who go to the city to work, shop, and do business.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Miguel Corporation</span> Filipino multinational conglomerate

San Miguel Corporation, abbreviated as SMC, is a Philippine multinational conglomerate headquartered in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. The company is one of the largest and most diversified conglomerates in the Philippines. Originally founded in 1890, San Miguel has ventured beyond its core business, with investments in various sectors such as food and drink, finance, infrastructure, oil and energy, transportation, and real estate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Cameron Forbes</span> American diplomat (1870–1959)

William Cameron Forbes was an American investment banker and diplomat. He served as governor-general of the Philippines from 1909 to 1913 and ambassador of the United States to Japan from 1930 to 1932.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayala Corporation</span> Publicly listed holding company for the diversified interests of the Ayala Group

Ayala Corporation is the publicly listed holding company for the diversified interests of the Ayala Group. Founded in the Philippines by Domingo Róxas and Antonio de Ayala during Spanish colonial rule, it is the country's oldest and largest conglomerate. The company has a portfolio of diverse business interests, including investments in retail, education, real estate, banking, telecommunications, water infrastructure, renewable energy, electronics, information technology, automotive, healthcare, management, and business process outsourcing. As of November 2015, it is the country's largest corporation in terms of assets ($48.7B).

The Zóbel de Ayala clan is a prominent Filipino family of Spanish and German descent who were the founders of Ayala y Compañía and patrons of the Premio Zóbel literary awards. The clan is directly descended from Jacobo Zóbel y Zangroniz (1842–1896) and Trinidad de Ayala (1856–1918). Ayala y Compañía traces its origins to Casa Róxas, a business partnership established in 1834 between Domingo Róxas (1792–1843) and Antonio de Ayala (1803–1876).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala</span> Filipino businessman

Jaime Augusto Miranda Zóbel de Ayala, also known as Jaime Augusto Zóbel, is a Filipino businessman from the prominent Zóbel de Ayala family. He currently serves as the chairman of Ayala Corporation since 2016. He succeeded his father, Jaime Zóbel de Ayala, as the company's president and CEO in 1994. He was the company's chairman and CEO from 2006 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayala station</span> Train station in Makati, Philippines

Ayala station, also known as Ayala Avenue station and Ayala Center station, is an underground Metro Rail Transit (MRT) station located on the MRT Line 3 (MRT-3) system in Makati. It is one of two underground stations that can be found on the line, the other being Buendia. The station is located in Makati and is named so due to its proximity to two places bearing the Ayala name: Ayala Center and Ayala Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayala Avenue</span> Major avenue in the National Capital Region of the Philippines

Ayala Avenue is a major thoroughfare in Makati, the Philippines. It is one of the busiest roads in Metro Manila, crossing through the heart of the Makati Central Business District. Because of the many businesses located along the avenue, Ayala Avenue is nicknamed the "Wall Street of the Philippines" and dubbed in the 1970s and 1980s as the "Madison Avenue of the Philippines".

Enrique Jacobo Emilio Zóbel y Olgado, better known as Enrique J. Zóbel and EZ, was a prominent Filipino businessman, pilot, and polo player belonging to the prominent Zóbel de Ayala family who are of Spanish and German descent.

Jaime Zóbel de Ayala y Pfitz, also known as Jaime Zóbel, is a Filipino businessman who served as the chairman of the Ayala Corporation from 1984 to 2006 and as its president from 1984 to 1994. Presently, he holds the honorary title as "Chairman Emeritus".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forbes Park, Makati</span> Barangay in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Forbes Park is a private subdivision, gated community, and barangay in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. Established in 1940s partly out of the nearby barangay Pinagkaisahan, Forbes Park was named after William Cameron Forbes, the fifth American Governor-General of the Philippines during the American Insular Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gil Puyat Avenue</span> Road in the Philippines

Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue, also known simply as Gil Puyat Avenue and by its former official name Buendia Avenue, is a major arterial thoroughfare which travels east–west through the cities of Makati and Pasay in western Metro Manila, Philippines. It is one of the busiest avenues in Metro Manila linking the Makati Central Business District with the rest of the metropolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paseo de Roxas</span>

Paseo de Roxas is a prime commercial artery in the Makati Central Business District of Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a two- to six-lane avenue that cuts through the middle of the business district connecting San Lorenzo Village in the west to Bel-Air Village in the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnaiz Avenue</span> Collector road in Metro Manila, Philippines

Antonio Arnáiz Avenue, also known simply as Avenida Arnáiz and by its former official name Pásay Road, is a major east–west collector road that links Makati and Pasay in the Philippines. It stretches across western Metro Manila from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Makati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McKinley Road</span>

McKinley Road is a tree-lined avenue linking the central business districts of Makati and Bonifacio Global City, Taguig in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a continuation of Ayala Avenue, south of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), which runs for approximately 1.9 kilometers (1.2 mi) through the affluent neighborhoods of Forbes Park and Dasmariñas Village. It is home to the exclusive Manila Polo Club and the Manila Golf and Country Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zobel Roxas Street</span> Major thoroughfare between Makati and Manila, Philippines

Zobel Roxas Street is an east-west street that forms the southeastern limit of the City of Manila, the northwestern city limit of Makati, and the northern city limit of Pasay, all in Metro Manila, Philippines. It stretches across western Metro Manila from F. Muñoz Street in the Singalong area of Malate to Tejeron Street at the district boundary of San Andres Bukid and Santa Ana. It has a short extension northeast of the Tejeron Street–J.P. Rizal Avenue junction as Del Pan Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makati Central Business District</span> Central Business District in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

The Makati Central Business District is a financial and central business district in the Philippines located in the heart of Makati in Metro Manila. It is politically known as "Central Cluster" in the West District of Makati. It is different from the Makati civic center known as "Makati Poblacion" which is situated at the northeast portion of the district. It is bounded by EDSA, Amorsolo Street, Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat Avenue, Osmeña Highway, Zobel Roxas Street, Ocampo Street, Metropolitan Avenue, Nicanor Garcia Street, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati Avenue, Anza Street, Polaris Street, Orion Street, Mercedes Street, Amapola Street and Estrella Street. The whole district occupies barangays of San Antonio, San Lorenzo, Bel-Air, and Urdaneta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayala Triangle Gardens</span> Urban park in Makati, Philippines

The Ayala Triangle Gardens is a 2-hectare (4.9-acre) landscaped urban park in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is a triangular public garden and courtyard in the center of the Makati Central Business District. It was named after its owner and developer Ayala Land, and opened to the public in November 19, 2009. Inspired by Hyde Park in London, the park, which is dotted with palms, acacia trees, and tropical foliage, is considered one of the few "green" areas in Makati.

Polo is a sport mainly played by the elite in the Philippines and was introduced in the country by the Americans.

References

  1. 1 2 "Manila Polo Club". G&W Clubshares, Inc. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "A Polo Club membership: Less alluring but still highly desired". Rouge (The Anniversary Issue). July 2016. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Polo history in the Philippines". Manila Times. 5 July 2014. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Rizzo, Steve (8 August 2016). "Filipino Polo". Polo Players Edition. 19 (12). United States Polo Association: 64–67. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  5. ↑ "History: Barangay Forbes Park". Makati City Official Website. Makati City Government. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "The Garden Room at Pablo Antonio's house". Manila Bulletin. 19 July 2017. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  7. 1 2 Avendaño, Christine; Burgonio, TJ (7 October 2014). "Is Binay a member of Manila Polo Club? Yes and no". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.