Gretchen Ho: 'Meeting NBA legends only humbled me down'

Volleyball may have been Gretchen Ho’s ticket to fame as one of the Ateneo Lady Eagles’ Fab Five during the 2010s — the sport that paved her way to being a celebrity athlete and journalist. But catch the PLDT ambassador in a heart-to-heart, and she’ll let you in on her first great love — basketball.

“My dad was a basketball player in his youth, so he would always teach us how to play and keep us abreast with the latest basketball games. My three brothers and I grew up to be basketball lovers! We’re a very sporty family, so enjoying the NBA with them was just one natural way we bonded together,” Gretchen recalls.

From an NBA fangirl to a bona fide sportscaster who has covered the games on location and met the league’s stars in person way back when, Gretchen — like many other basketball fans — has found new ways to enjoy the games despite the pandemic. The TV5 and One News anchor remains updated with the league’s 75th season through the NBA League Pass, the NBA’s premium live game subscription service. Using the League Pass, made more affordable and accessible through PLDT Home Fiber, Gretchen is able to watch the games and other exclusive content with the family — an experience that triggers many childhood memories and even life aspirations.

An NBA fangirl’s dream
One of Gretchen’s most memorable NBA moments was watching the historic Chicago Bulls – Utah Jazz Finals Game 6 back in 1998. At eight years old, she saw Michael Jordan steal the ball from Karl Malone, with the Jazz leading 86-85 and with 18.9 seconds left. A young Gretchen found herself sharing the victorious moment as MJ nailed that game-winning jumper to give the Bulls their sixth title.

“When Michael Jordan made his final winning shot, I was jumping up and down the bed in my pajamas! Sabi ko nga nung bata ako, pangarap ko maging NBA player — hindi WNBA, NBA talaga! I don’t know why I said that to my dad as a young girl!” she recalls with a laugh.

While the opportunity to be an NBA player remains a hoop dream, Gretchen was able to experience the next best thing: Covering the NBA All-Star Weekend twice in a row as a sports journalist.

“It was surreal for me and a great privilege. Seeing all the top NBA athletes come together to play felt like being in the Disneyland of basketball. It was great seeing how agile, strong, and flawless they were in their play,” she enthuses.

Among Gretchen’s biggest NBA fangirl moments were in 2018, when she interviewed Chris Bosh who was then set to retire from a blood clot injury; and in 2019, when she saw Michael Jordan himself in the historic Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) in Los Angeles.

 

“I’ve always loved every chance I got to tell these stories. As an athlete and a sports fan myself, I've always made sure to pour my heart into sharing these inspiring journeys to the audiences,” she says of the experience.

Her hardcourt inspiration

It is every sports fan’s dream to meet their idols in person. In Gretchen’s case, not only did she meet Golden State Warrior’s Stephen Curry, she also hosted two events for him during his time in Manila.

 

“Steph Curry is a phenomenal game changer—the first player in NBA history to make 3,000 career 3-pointers. And yet, he stays humble. I love who he is inside and outside the court. He’s very playful on the court and a great family man off it,” she shares.

 

Gretchen personally feels drawn to stories of underdogs who had fought through with nothing but perseverance — much like San Francisco’s Golden Boy.

 

“Beyond the games, what I love about the NBA are the inspiring stories the league's stars carry with them. It’s amazing how much hard work they put into their craft to stand out and make a mark among other great basketball players around the world,” she says.

 

“What I love the most are stories of players who have been undervalued yet have worked their way up with constant improvement, quality in performance, and commitment so they can be the best they could ever be. I think this is relatable to anybody who aspires to be better in whatever they do.”

 

A growing NBA community
It’s this underdog arc that Gretchen finds relatable to many Filipinos — known for pulling through adversity in any sport, career, or just about any situation.

 

“It’s no secret. Everywhere you go in the Philippines, there’s always a basketball court! If not a full one, there’s at least a makeshift one on some post or board,” she muses.

 

Gretchen especially feels delighted that Filipino athletes are now making it in the league. Take for example Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson and Houston Rockets’ Jalen Green, she says, two Filipino-American athletes now sharing the NBA court for the first time and making a mark in the league.

 

“This just goes to show that the Filipino can make it. I love it when Jordan and Jalen openly acknowledge that they are Filipinos! It makes the dream to send a full-blooded Filipino even more reachable when you see the two of them doing well in the NBA!”

 

These days, even with no NBA field assignments, Gretchen stays updated with the league through her devices. As the excitement continuously piles up on the NBA’s historic 75th Anniversary Season, Gretchen remains connected to the world’s biggest basketball league — through the NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home.

 

For fans like Gretchen who can get technical about the games, the NBA League Pass offers live stats and multiple viewing options. It also includes the NBA Mobile View, which delivers a closer shot of the action optimized for viewing on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.

 

“It is a great way to keep up with the jam-packed schedule of games, storylines, and tributes. With NBA League Pass, I’m able to watch the marquee games live and on-demand,” Gretchen says. “I also love that it has many great features — like using different camera angles so I can view every heart-stopping moment the way I want to!”

With NBA League Pass charged to your PLDT Home Fiber bill, Filipino homes can have a virtual front-row seat to a variety of games for as low as P85 a month!

 

PLDT Home remains the undisputed fastest broadband network in the Philippines after an impressive speed performance for the second half of 2021, dominating its telco rivals with a Speed Score™ of 77.24 at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards. With the brand’s fast and reliable internet connection, NBA fans can enjoy uninterrupted sports action and continue to be updated on the league and its biggest stars this season and beyond!

 

For more information on how to enjoy the NBA League Pass via a PLDT Home subscription, please visit the official website at pldthome.com/nba-leaguepass.

Gretchen Ho is named as “Beacon” for PLDT Home’s #SheConnects campaign

When a woman speaks, she can lead a generation into action. And that’s exactly what TV host, reporter, and all-around woman-in-action Gretchen Ho does. This Women’s Month, the athlete-turned-reporter shares her journey on how having strong women connections helped her become a voice and beacon of her generation.

 

“When I envision something, I get into action to achieve it,” says Gretchen Ho. Dubbed as the ‘Woman-in-Action’, she has evolved from being a university athlete, to an events host, a news anchor, and now as a Beacon for other women. She talks about how she believes that success comes from a daily and constant effort, “Work hard. Never forget work ethic, take action day-by-day and keep improving daily. Move forward with consistency”.

Before becoming a news anchor, Gretchen was a volleyball star player having been key to the successes of her former teams’ championship wins at the prestigious UAAP and 2014 PSL Grand Prix Conference Games. She then moved to become a TV reporter, working on the sidelines to find and tell empowering stories of people from different walks of life. All these led her to the “Woman in Action” that she is now.   

 

In 2017, Gretchen became an Ambassador for Health and Nutrition of the Philippine branch of World Vision, a humanitarian aid, development and advocacy organization. Her advocacies and achievements have been recognized by various organizations. She has been named Best News Personality at the 2020 Paragala Media Awards, Most Outstanding Female Correspondent at the 2020 3^rd Gawad Lasallianeta, Best New Female Segment Host for the Year at the 2019 Gawad Pilipino, consistent awardee for Best Lifestyle Show and Best Morning Show Hosts at the PMPC Star Awards for TV, and Student’s Choice of Personality for Social Media Development at the 2016 USTv XII Awards.

Making the most of her connections to help others, Gretchen continues to use her influence in empowering others for the better. “It’s not just about the hard work, it’s also about doors and opportunities. I strive to use these connections to help other people. I make use of my platform and network so that I can help more people in need,” she adds.

 

With this, Gretchen Ho is named as “Beacon” for PLDT Home’s #SheConnects campaign. She joins stellar women in a masterclass video series that showcases inspiring journeys of distinguished women and how they connect with others to inspire, elevate, and empower.

 

Asked about her vision for women in the future, Gretchen had this hope in mind: “My hope is that more women will rise up to lead and use their platforms to empower and connect more women for a better future.”

 

Learn more from the Woman-in-Action, Gretchen Ho, as she shares more lessons through a masterclass video on PLDT Home’s Youtube page here.

Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge send off

Cebu Pacific Air, the country’s leading carrier, sends off its top five exciting student teams on an adventure of a lifetime on June 24, 2014 at Maxims Hotel, Resortsworld.  The finalists for the Juan for Fun Backpacker are Team Juanabees, Team Juanderlustare, Team Suldado De Dora, Team Tuklas, and Team Watermelon. Their coaches who will guide them all throughout their adventure are Paolo Abrera, Gretchen Ho, Jude Bacalso, Bogart the Explorer and Luke Landrigan. They are all excited to help their respective teams through various challenges and cheer them on through social media.

Juan For Fun Coaches Gretchen Ho, Bogart the Explorer, Paolo Abrera, Luke Landringan and Jude Bacalso

 Now on its third year, the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge will take adventurous, fun-loving college students to seven destinations in the country and abroad, for nine days, all for free.

From June 24 to July 2, 2014, the teams will explore Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Legazpi, Cebu, Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. Their challenge: to have as many fun activities with their MYR800 (PHP EQUIVALENT) and PHP30,000 allowance, and win as many special fun challenges as possible.

Team Juanabees
Cams Abandula, Kirk Coronel, and GianPaglinawan represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

Team Juanderlust4 Liang Borlagdan, Mara Sy, and Julia Negre

Team Suldado de Dora
Phoebe Alba, Cyp Basa, and Gail Dela Rosa 

Team Tuklas
EsmeEscoto, Floyd Patricio, and Gab Saplagioare

Team Watermelon
Paul Garcia, Kae Lao, and JehannaHuyo-a 

The trio with the most number of fun activities out of their given budget, and the highest standing in the Special Fun Challenges, will win the competition and score awesome prizes to go on even more exciting trips. Prizes include 12 round-trip tickets to any Cebu Pacific international or domestic destination of their choice, plus over Php150,000 worth of other exciting prizes such as Canon Powershot SX510HS cameras, Vaude Sapporo Carry-On Trolleys, Vaude Hogan Ultra-Light Tents and a lot more.

Teams can also win additional prizes during the special fun challenges prepared by Cebu Pacific and its campaign partners in each destination.

To help the teams on their quest, Cebu Pacific has tapped five noted personalities known for their love of travel, to play the role of Adventure Coaches. Volleyball star Gretchen Ho, Internet celebrity Bogart the Explorer, sportsman and TV host Paolo Abrera, champion surfer Luke Landrigan and travel writer Jude Bacalso are on board to mentor each team during the course of the challenge. They will stay in touch with their respective teams and cheer them on through social media.

“The Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge is an exciting opportunity for young Filipinos everywhere to discover just how much they can learn from traveling. We want everyone to realize that you can go on an adventure and have a lot of fun, without having to spend a lot of money,” said Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

The Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2014 is co-presented by Jack ‘n Jill Magic Crackers, with the support of Vaude, Merrell, Canon and the Department of Tourism, and the endorsement of the Commission on Higher Education.


Top five thrill-seeking teams

Team Juanabees is made up of Cams Abandula (19, UP Diliman), Kirk Coronel (19, University of San Carlos Cebu) and GianPaglinawan (19, UP Mindanao). This unstoppable trio representing schools in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are passionate about meeting new people, discovering new wonders, and enjoying every second of life. Giving them sage advice and travel tips is volleyball star and TV host CoachGretchen Ho.

Liang Borlagdan and Mara Sy (21, Ateneo de Manila University) and Julia Negre (21, UP Diliman) of Team Juanderlustare banking on their individual strengths to win the competition and take home the big prize. Best friends since they were little, this all-girl team will be paired off with dynamic travel writer CoachJude Bacalso.

Phoebe Alba and CypBasa(18, UPVisayas), and Gail Dela Rosa (17, Filamer Christian University) are ready to march to adventure as Team Suldado De Dora. Their journey will surely be a barrel of laughs as they get paired off with funnyman and YouTube sensation CoachBogart the Explorer.

Team Tuklas, composed of EsmeEscoto (21), Floyd Patricio (22), and Gab Saplagio (23) of UP Diliman, share a love not just for science, but for travel and adventure as well. This witty and wacky trio is all set to form their game plan withCoachPaoloAbrera.

Paul Garcia (22), Kae Lao (20), and JehannaHuyo-a (21) of Cebu Doctor’s University and Informatics Cebu make up Team Watermelon from the Queen City of the South. Always raring to try new things and explore their limits, this team believes that having the right mindset and being with the right people are all it takes to have a fun adventure. To help them make waves in the challenge, they will be mentored by CoachLukeLandrigan.

Follow the adventures of these five thrill-seeking teams in the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge and get awesome budget travel tips by visiting www.juanforfun.com.
Cheer for your favorites and join the conversation on Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) pages by using the hashtag #JuanForFun.

Travel coaches gear up for Cebu Pacific’s Juan for Fun

Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge Adventure Coaches during their briefing at Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu: (from left) Paolo Abrera, Gretchen Ho, Jude Bacalso, Bogart the Explorer and Luke Landrigan. They are all excited to help their respective teams through various challenges and cheer them on through social media.

Excitement is mounting as Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading airline, gets ready for the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2014. Now on its third year, Juan for Fun promises a bigger, more adrenaline-pumping escapade as it brings five university teams on an all-expenses-paid trip to seven different destinations, not just in the country but also abroad, for nine straight days.  To help the teams on their quest, Cebu Pacific has tapped five noted personalities known for their love of travel, to play the role of Adventure Coaches. Volleyball star Gretchen Ho, Internet celebrity Bogart the Explorer, sportsman and TV host Paolo Abrera, champion surfer Luke Landrigan and travel writer Jude Bacalso will serve as mentors for each team during the course of the challenge. They will also stay in touch with their respective teams—as well as cheer for them—through social media.

For Coach Paolo, the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge is a great way to introduce people to the possibilities of travel. “The challenge can show people that you don’t really need that much money to have fun and explore,” he said.

“Travel is one of the most enriching things that you can do to educate and make yourself a better person. It’s one of the best teachers we can have,” he added.

Coach Bogart added that the Juan for Fun is indeed an exciting opportunity to instill the love of travel among students everywhere. “I want these kids to love traveling and to share that love with their friends. When you go backpacking, you see the value of things that you need as opposed to things that you want,” he said.

“As the cliché goes, it’s not the destination, but the journey. And traveling to seven destinations for free? That’s already a prize in itself!”

Lessons on the road.  The Adventure Coaches also shared a few tips and pointers in advance for teams to have an even more enriching and memorable experience during the Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge.  “Don’t be afraid to ask” is Coach Luke’s advice to the student teams. “If you’re in a new place, the locals there will know the best places to go to and great deals that will make the trip more enjoyable,” he said.

 For Coach Gretchen, the most vital traits that the teams should have are understanding and patience. “I’ve been in sports for a very long time and I know what it takes to win. I’m very competitive but I’m a team player as well,” she said. “Communication is also very essential. Right at the very start, the teams should delegate their tasks and assign who’s in charge of what. It makes the team more solid and therefore, work together better.” Coach Jude added that each team should also be responsible travellers wherever they go. “It is important to respect the customs and traditions of the people that you meet. Get to know the locals and make new friends to broaden your perspectives,” she said.

Go on the ultimate adventure. The Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2014 was open to all university and college students who have an insatiable thirst for adventure and a knack for budget travel. To qualify, they had to form a team of three members and upload a video that answered the question “What’s your idea of a fun adventure?” to www.juanforfun.com. Teams will find out their destinations before the challenge kicks off on June 24, 2014, and they have until July 2, 2014 to have as many fun and exciting experiences and discoveries within a given travel allowance. To earn extra points and additional prizes, they must also complete the special fun challenges prepared by Cebu Pacific in each destination.

The trio with the most number of fun activities out of their given budget, and the highest standing in the Special Fun Challenges, will win the competition and score awesome prizes to go on even more exciting trips. Prizes include 12 round-trip tickets to any Cebu Pacific international or domestic destination of their choice, plus over Php150,000 worth of other exciting prizes such as Canon Powershot SX510HS cameras, Vaude Sapporo Carry-On Trolleys, Vaude Hogan Ultra-Light Tents and a whole lot more.

The Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge 2014 is co-presented by Jack ‘n Jill Magic Crackers, with the support of Vaude, Merrell, Canon and the Department of Tourism, and the endorsement of the Commission on Higher Education. Be a part of this exciting adventure and join the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge now! Follow the escapades of these adventure coaches and their teams on www.juanforfun.com. For more details, follow Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) pages.