Akari Sports’ mission in the sports industry goes beyond wins.
The word “Akari” is Japanese for “bright light.” Since the well-established lighting company of the same name was launched in the Philippines in 2002, this expression has been Akari’s guiding principle — to be a bright light that illuminates the home of every Filipino.
Over the years, the definition of “home” has expanded beyond the four walls of a house. And as the priorities, passions, and pastimes among Filipinos have evolved, so has the Akari brand. As a stalwart for excellence, the brand has taken its standard for quality in the lighting industry and has used its guiding values to become a bright light for Filipinos in other areas of their lives, and one in particular that stands out is the nation’s passion for sports.
Bringing sportsmanship to light
With a profound love for sports, Akari has become a huge supporter of athletes in the Philippines under the umbrella of Akari Sports: an organization wholly dedicated to developing the country’s burgeoning sports industry, grounded by their tagline, ‘Alagang Akari‘ — a guiding principle that reminds them that they are not only building champions, but they are also shaping them as individuals, on and off the court.
This, however, is not news to many. After all, the name Akari has become a household name in the Premier Volleyball League, thanks to their team, the Akari Chargers.
The Akari Chargers joined the emergent PVL back in 2022 as a way to provide a home for young, aspiring athletes in the professional volleyball scene. The result? The Chargers have since become a platform where volleyball players are given the opportunity to prove themselves. On top of this, the team has also proudly fostered the growth of many well-known talents such as Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, and Celine Domingo. They also foster rising stars, including Justine Jazareno, Kamille Cal, and Dani Ravena.
With their undying passion, the organization then established a second team in the Premier Volleyball League in 2023: the Nxled Chameleons. Similar to the Chargers, the Chameleons’ program is now home to even more volleyball stars such as EJ Laure, Bang Pineda, and May Luna.
The level of local competition has only risen over the last few years, especially with organizations such as Akari Sports. And thus, the next step for them was clear: to level up the national team. Since 2023, the organization has begun to provide support to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, in hopes of uplifting the national team’s level against international competitors.
Indeed, Akari Sports has been a major player in the development of Philippine volleyball. But unbeknownst to most, the organization began its journey in the sports world rather simply: by providing scholarship opportunities to young athletes.
Akari first ventured into the Philippine sports industry long before they established teams in the PVL. Their journey actually began in 2014 with Adamson University.
What initially began as a means to provide scholarships and opportunities for education to young basketball players quickly transitioned into a larger involvement with the school’s teams. Akari Sports has since been involved with the university’s volleyball, basketball, and cheerdance teams, and the teams have felt the impact of the Alagang Akari mission.
Ever since Akari Sports began lending a hand to Adamson’s programs, their teams have soared to new levels of success. One of their biggest highlights, in fact, was the university’s pep squad’s UAAP Cheerdance Competition championship win in 2017, their first title since the competition was founded in 1994.
Today, the university’s volleyball team continues to thrive, especially with exceptional talents under their wing. In the ongoing Season 87 tournament, Shaina Nitura has already become one of the league’s best players in her rookie year. She even recorded a historic 38-point outing, which surpassed previous records held by UAAP legends Alyssa Valdez and Sisi Rondina.
With their hunger for progress, the organization has also ventured into other fields. In fact, just last year, Akari Sports has also been providing support to the DLSU Women’s Football Team in hopes of leveling the playing field in a new sport. On top of this, Akari Sports also started the year 2025 strong, planting seeds in a new part of the country. Partnering up with Santa Clarita International School in Iloilo, the organization continues to expand its involvement at the grassroots level for volleyball.
“Everything that’s in it, [Akari Sports] wants to develop everything, and develop Philippine sports as a whole,” Mozzy Ravena, team manager of the Akari Chargers, shared with The GAME. “The idea is to boost teams that need support, and sports that need more support, that are potential champions.”
The brand has shed its light upon many teams and athletes in Philippine sports, illuminating the industry at all levels — from the high school level to the national level. But one common thread in particular shines through: they have been a pioneer in supporting women’s sports since they first established themselves in the sports scene. Long before the recent movement, and the recent wave of support that female athletes have been receiving, Akari Sports has already established itself as a firm believer and supporter of Filipinas in sports.
While all their teams and players strive for success, as has been the standard at Akari since 2002, their mission goes beyond winning. For Akari Sports, winning is simply a byproduct of the culture they are setting together as an entire organization.
Talent wins games, teamwork wins championships
You may be wondering, as a company that specializes in lighting, why sports? Well, for Akari Lighting and Technology Corporation CEO Christopher Tiu, sports run in the family. Chris and his siblings grew up entrenched in the sports world and continue to hold a deep passion for the thrill that comes with it.
As such, the Akari Organization has a deep understanding not just of the sports industry, but more importantly, what it takes to thrive in this competitive space — and the reality is that, especially for professional athletes, it takes a lot. And this is where Akari Sports steps in. Still aiming to be that bright light for Filipinos, their mission is best exemplified by their tagline, Alagang Akari.
This tagline is not just a saying. It is the root of their culture as an organization. Supporting athletes from high school to college to the professional and national level, this is, as Mozzy explained, an extension of the Akari company itself: “We treat each other like family.”
This is, in fact, one of Akari’s pillars as an organization, especially in the Akari Sports organization. The members of the organization, from top to bottom, are all heavily involved in the day-to-day goings-on of the teams and athletes under their umbrella.
This is something that sets Akari Sports’ culture apart: the relationships between the team owners and the players. The way they see it, they are all a big community, and thus, they are all a part of every win and every loss. With a mindset like this, every member of the team, from the top down, values hard work.
Hard work is a nonnegotiable in the world of sports, where many moving parts must operate harmoniously together. What makes this possible for Akari Sports? Humility. The ability to be “coachable,” as Mozzy puts it.
“I think that’s the key to winning a championship,” she asserted. “No matter how good you are, you’re still lacking. So if you’re open to coaching, and you respect the ability of your coach, and the assistant coaches, strength and conditioning coach — everybody. If you’re always open and willing to learn, that’s our main goal.”
Putting all of this together truly showcases why Akari Sports believes that talent can win games, but more importantly, teamwork is what will win championships. This is why instead of striving for wins, they, instead, strive to build a culture where every member of the organization can thrive; winning is simply a byproduct.
It takes a village — or in Akari’s case, a family.
Learn more about Akari Sports and their ‘Alagang Akari’ mission by clicking here.
Images courtesy of Akari Sports.