Execs, stars spice up TRIBUNE picklefest

No less than the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the head of the pickleball federation, two senators and a constellation of beauty queens will be around when the 1st ArenaPlus-KaTribu Pickleball Tournament unwraps on 12 June at The Dink Lab Elite inside All Home in Kawit, Cavite.

PSC chief Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Senator Mark Villar and former Senator Cynthia Villar, Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF) president Shery Anne “Shawy” Cu, and nine Miss Earth 2026 candidates are expected to be part of the fun and excitement in this blue-ribbon event dubbed as “Dink-dependence Day” as it coincides with the country’s celebration of its 128th year of freedom from colonial rule.

Together with DAILY TRIBUNE president Willie Fernandez, Gregorio and the Villars are set to personally hand the trophies, medals, cash prizes that could go to as high as P15,000 as well as premium rewards like hotel accommodation, round-trip tickets from Manila to Narita, gift certificates and food vouchers to all the winners in the beginner, novice, low intermediate and high intermediate divisions for men and women.

Registration is now ongoing and is pegged at P1,500. Registered participants will also receive competition shirts, snacks, drinks and various freebies from the event’s sponsors like ArenaPlus, Philippine Sports Commission and JC Premiere.

Julius Manicad, Sports editor of organizing DAILY TRIBUNE, said the esteemed guests are also set to deliver messages that would inspire close to 300 participants to keep playing as pickleball helps promote camaraderie, friendship and active lifestyle.

“Our organization is aligned with the vision of PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, Senators Mark and Cynthia Villar and the PPF of using pickleball as a tool to promote friendship, camaraderie and healthy and active lifestyle within the local community,” said Manicad, adding that they are also inviting Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino in the awarding ceremony that will be held around 6 p.m.

“We are delighted to formally invite them to celebrate this milestone event with us. Their presence will truly elevate the day and inspire our competitors to bring their best to make an impact in our news organization’s first-ever pickleball tournament.”

Manicad is set to join the Miss Earth candidates together with Cu, and ArenaPlus chief Erick Su for the ceremonial serve that will kick off the hostilities.

Tournament director Kent Octavo, a known figure in the local pickleball community, will also be around to lend his expertise to the players, especially those who are new to this fast-rising sport that combines the elements of Olympic sports like badminton, table tennis and lawn tennis.

“We encourage the members of the pickleball community to register as playing slots are filling fast,” said Octavo, who will screen all the participants to ensure the level playing field in this tournament that also has the support of the Villar Foundation, Cebu Pacific, Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Hotel 101, DITO, Pascual Laboratories, HEAD and the Department of Finance.