Second Skin Industries (SSI) and Alike Media team up for a golf tournament like no other.

Dubbed the “SSI Cup powered by Alike,” the event saw over 40 teams troop to the prestigious Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club in Cabuyao, Laguna, where 4-man teams battled it out using a modified scramble format.

Inspired by the 2022 Alike Cup, this year’s ceremonial tee-off was led by CEOs Archie Chiang and Rose Tolentino for SSI and Alike respectively. Entrants were comprised of business owners, club champions, single handicap players, and golf enthusiasts alike.

“It was tough, you can really tell people prepared for it,” notes scratch player Marvin Mendoza.

Helping up the competition were the rewards, amounting to 5 hole-in-one prizes. These included: a Great Wall Motors (GWM) Haval Jolion Hybrid, a Triumph Trident 660cc Silver Ice, and a Yellow Sole Vespa S125— both from the Autohub group. A Php 345,000 reading device from Full Swing and a one-year membership from Quantum Golf were also at stake.

“We went full support on this tournament know[ing] the kind of participants joining,” says Jameson Ong, GWM Philippines Managing Partner.

“Not only are they potential clients, but they’re also great brand mileage.” With the likes of Derek Ramsey, Joseph Yeo, and Mr. “Freeze” in the mix, top-tier luxury brand sponsors paraded the Sta Elena veranda with merchandise from Porsche Design and a Maserati MC20, sporting the all-new Greyscale in full steam. It was foresight into the day's many unseen golfing scene ‘firsts.’

When Second is better than First

The day tested contestants’ skills through 18 holes of pure driving, pitching, and putting pressure at Sta. Elena’s Banahaw course, as playing sponsors refreshed tee-houses with Chatime, Santiago Brewery & CHILL coolers. "It was the most spoiled tournament!" laughs Ronin Leviste, the concluded SSI Cup Longest Drive Player.

”Even our carts had custom thermal bags filled with goodies," quips Dan Ng, team captain of the Overall Grand Champion team.

The awards night & after party was held at Xylo in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, where for the first time in its history the Superclub was dressed in a dapper green reminiscent of a golf course. Contestants were made to feel at home while fete with food from sponsors Bonchon, Nuthera, Oh Crop! and the Original Savory, free-flowing coffee from Fat Seed, and decadently sweet treats from Tiger Sugar, Gram Pancakes & La Crema. Of note is the belly-busting buffet spread courtesy of Electric Garden, which assured players’ calories spent for the day were well compensated for.

A charity side auction featuring the works of SSI’s client - esteemed sculptor Ramon Orlina graced the event to simultaneously raise funds for Archie’s “Beyond Bars” JCI Manila project for its chosen beneficiary – the inmates at Mandaluyong City Jail.

TV and Radio personality DJ Sam YG hosted the program proper, with a brand new Vespa featured as the night’s major raffle prize, alongside quarter-million peso furniture from Furnitalia. Xylo’s massive LED screens, used to displaying popular trance and house graphics, boasted winners’ names and images from the day as DJ Ace Ramos, Migs Santillian of Magic 89.9, and sexiest Dj Bets Lopez played till the night ended the next morning.

Wrapping Things Up

Starting in 2019, Second Skin Industries’ Archie Chiang had one dream - to elevate the experience of Philippine automotive wrapping. “I’ve always loved making things special,” says the 30-year-old CEO, “so if a client comes to me, it should not just be about their car, but also their unique personal experience.” To date, SSI has wrapped an impressive roster of clients, including Ding Dong Dante’s Range Rover in PPF, Derek Ramsay’s Porsche 993 Turbo in British Racing Green, Angie King’s Porsche 993 Turbo in Inozetek Metallic Midnight Green, Sam YG’s LC300 with Magnus Pro PPF, Master Glass artist Ramon Orlina’s Porsche 991 Targa protected with Magnus Pro PPF and the iconic Ronald Ventura Porsche 992 Turbo S Cabriolet in a full custom Beast Master wrap.

In recent times, SSI’s has seen its growth turbo-charged. It is one of the country’s youngest & fastest-growing automobile wrapping brands, with over 250 clients and rising.

The winners of the SSI Cup powered by Alike Golf Tournament 2023 are:

Overall Lowest Gross Champions
HOMACIO MATTHEW S MENDOZA
KIRBY LACHICA
HONOR MENDOZA
DEMETRIO BORIS HORATIO P MENDOZA

Overall Grand Champions
VINCE NGO
ALEXANDRA TAN
DANIEL NG
ANNIKA CRUZ

Group A Champions
MIGUEL GO TAN
GP REYES
MOISES GO
DANIEL ROA

Group A Runners-Up
JOSEPH YEO
PAOLO CAGALINGAN
JETT MANUEL
CHRISTOPHER TAN

Group B Champions
TERENCE LIM
DAVID FUNK
IVAN DU
LESTER TAN

Group B Runners-Up
FIGUEROA DON
VINLUAN DON
FERNANDO MONTABLAN
PAJARILLO DON

Nearest The Pin
RONIN LEVISTE
4 FT.

Longest Drive Ladies
MELISSA ONGSUE LEE
180 YARDS

Longest Drive Mens
PABLO OLIVAREZ
277 YARDS

Most Accurate Drive
DAVE RIVERA
4 INCHES