What began as a grassroots effort to bring tennis closer to the youth in the provinces has blossomed into a success story for two rising Filipino athletes. Ariel Cabaral Jr. and Kurt Barrera, who sharpened their skills in Bais, Negros Oriental, are proud members of the Edna Diago Lhuillier (EDL) Youth Tennis Program-a deeply personal testament to Cebuana Lhuillier’s enduring belief in social development through sport. The EDL Youth Tennis Program, which started in 2016, was established to discover and nurture young tennis players from provincial communities, offering them structured training, mentoring, and access to competitive opportunities. Cabaral, the No. 1 ranked player in the Boys division nationwide, has seen his life fundamentally transformed by this support, and now represents National University (NU) as a full scholar. A member of the UTP National Team, he has competed internationally in Malaysia, where he won the 18U Boys title in Penang and received a week-long scholarship at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy.
Barrera, ranked No. 10 in the Boys division, forging his own path, is currently a scholar at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu and a recipient of a Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation scholarship. Like Cabaral, he represented the country in Malaysia and Thailand, even taking home the 18U Boys doubles championship.
‘These young athletes are the heartbeat of our advocacy. Their success is living, breathing proof of what happens when raw talent, especially from underserved communities, is given continuous, unwavering support,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘Our mission has always been rooted in social responsibility-to remove the financial barriers, open doors to opportunities, and allow these aspiring players to chase their passion for tennis and represent our country with every ounce of their pride.’
Their achievements are the tangible rewards of Cebuana Lhuillier’s decades-long commitment to social good and community investment, particularly in tennis. For more than two decades, the company – under Lhuillier’s leadership – has championed grassroots programs that nurture young Filipino talents. The Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour, for instance, remains one of the country’s longest-running and most extensive developmental tennis tournaments, offering young players a venue to gain exposure, experience, and recognition across different provinces. Beyond competitions, Cebuana Lhuillier’s sports initiatives also provide scholarships and financial assistance to promising athletes, helping them balance education and athletic growth. These programs are part of the company’s broader mission under the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc., which focuses on empowering the youth through education, sports, and financial inclusion. The success of Cabaral and Barrera shows how this long-term commitment to sports at the grassroots level continues to produce results – not only creating champions but shaping disciplined, well-rounded individuals.
From the humble, sun-drenched grassroots courts to the electrifying atmosphere of the global tennis arena, the journey of Cabaral and Barrera is an inspiring validation of Cebuana Lhuillier’s legacy of giving. When corporate resources and the dedicated support of the EDL Youth Tennis Program are channeled toward social upliftment, Filipino athletes can indeed shine brightly on any stage, transforming the lives of players and communities alike.