Frank Lao

Frank Lao
OccupationsSports executive, businessman
Known forCurrent president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, founder of Strong Group Athletics, owner of Choi Garden and Gloria Maris

Frank Lao is a Filipino sports executive and businessman who is the current president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). He is also the owner of restaurants Choi Garden and Gloria Maris, and the founder of the sports organization Strong Group Athletics.

Early life

Frank Lao was born to a Chinese father who emigrated from China to Davao in the Philippines when Frank was still at a young age.[1] His father hails from British Hong Kong.[2] Lao sold plasticware such as tabo and pails as a means of livelihood.[2]

Career

Business

Lao is associated with the Chinese restaurants Choi Garden and Gloria Maris which were acquired from previous owners. Lao bought a 35 percent stake in the Malaysian coffee shop chain Zus Coffee in 2023.[3] His daughter heads the Choi Garden Group which brought Zus to the Philippines.[4]

He also has stakes in the mining industry. He runs Kinetic Holdings Corp. which made a joint venture with Apollo Global Capital in 2021.[5]

Sports

Lao is the founder of the Strong Group Athletics (SGA), an organization which sponsors and manages sports teams.[6] The Farm Fresh Foxies and the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles which plays in the women's volleyball league, Premier Volleyball League are under Lao's SGA.[7][8] SGA also has sponsored high school and university basketball teams in the Philippines.[9]

Lao earlier has supported the La Salle Green Hills basketball program as its patron from 2017 to 2019. This was in support of his sons who are part of the high school's team. The Greenies won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 93 title in 2017.[10]

PNVF presidency

Lao claimed the presidency of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) in June 2026 amidst the sports federation suspension by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball.[11] In 15 days of de facto tenure, Lao claimed to have settled the financial dispute between the federation and former Philippine national coach Jorge de Brito. The Philippine Olympic Committee deemed the tenure invalid due to it not being notified of Lao's election.[12][13] On August 10, 2026, Lao was formally elected as PNVF president, with the POC supervising the elections.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "The story of Frank Lao's entrepreneurial triumph". Bilyonaryo.com. March 2, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "No guts, no Gloria Maris: Here's how Frank Lao built his restaurant empire". Bilyonaryo.com. March 2, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Philippine's billionaire Frank Lao buys 35% stake in Malaysian coffee shop Zus". The Star. March 22, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Philippine's Billionaire Frank Lao Invests In ZUS Coffee | TRP". The Rakyat Post. March 24, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  5. ↑ Ocampo, Karl (September 2, 2021). "Apollo Global secures P988M for PH's first deep sea mining". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  6. ↑ "UAAP: Lady Warriors boost roster as California Academy standouts commit to UE". ABS-CBN News. July 19, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Strong Group Athletics joins PVL". Premier Volleyball League. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Frank Lao sticks familiar basketball brand on new volleyball squad". INQUIRER.net. January 14, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Tiger Cubs tap Strong backer". Daily Tribune. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (January 16, 2019). "LSGH Greenies patron Lao steps aside at end of memorable three-year run". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  11. ↑ Garcia, John (June 9, 2026). "Frank Lao poised to take over PNVF leadership". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  12. ↑ "POC officially suspends PNVF; Lao's election as president deemed invalid". ABS-CBN News. June 24, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  13. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (June 24, 2026). "Lao says he's done his part as POC rules his presidency invalid". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  14. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (August 10, 2026). "Frank Lao elected president, Tats Suzara returns to PNVF board". SPIN.ph. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
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