SC opens 2026 sportsfest for employees wellness

The Supreme Court (SC) SC Sportsfest 2026 opened on 15 September 2026, at the SC Quadrangle, reaffirming its commitment to promoting the health and well-being of its officials and employees.

Carrying the theme “One Judiciary in Motion,” the Sportsfest highlights the Court's continuing efforts to foster a healthy, active, and engaged workforce through its Judiciary Health and Welfare Program.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo led the ceremony, joined by SC Associate Justices Rodil V. Zalameda, Ricardo R. Rosario, and Raul B. Villanueva.

Also present were Court officials led by Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M.

Lomibao-Cuevas and members of the SC Sports Committee, chaired by Court

Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta.

The festivities opened with a mass Zumba session attended by SC officials and employees, underscoring the Sportsfest’s focus on physical fitness, camaraderie, and

overall wellness.

Justice Villanueva in his message highlighted the values cultivated through

sports and their relevance both in competition and in public service.

“Sports have a unique way of teaching us what life and work sometimes take years for us to learn from. Talent matters, especially in individual sporting events but so do discipline and preparation.”

Participants was reminded by Justice Villanueva that while they may represent different teams during the Sportsfest, they remain united in their shared mission of serving the Judiciary.

He also thanked Chief Justice Gesmundo for supporting initiatives that advance the welfare of Court personnel.

He noted that the Chief Justice’s leadership under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI) recognizes that meaningful institutional reforms are driven by a healthy, motivated, and committed workforce.

The court under the SPJI, seeks to strengthen programs that support the

physical, mental, and social well-being of judges, officials, and employees, enabling them to perform their duties effectively in the delivery of justice.

The Sportsfest forms part of these efforts, encouraging personnel to stay physically active, build camaraderie, and strengthen teamwork while promoting a culture of wellness.

During the opening ceremony, Court Administrator Gomez-Estoesta administered the Athlete’s Oath to participating SC personnel, who pledged to uphold sportsmanship and fair play throughout the competition.

The Sportsfest games are scheduled after office hours and will run until 30 November 2026. They include badminton, basketball, billiards, bowling, chess, cycling, dama, darts, golf, pickleball, practical shooting, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.

The Court also recognized the winners and outstanding players of the 2026 Intra-Judiciary Cup, a basketball tournament launched in April 2026.

The competition drew 22 teams from various offices across the Judiciary, including the SC, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Court of Tax Appeals, Office of the Regional Court Manager, and first- and second-level courts in the National Capital Judicial Region (NCJR) and Regions 3 and 4A.

Named to the Mythical Five were Almond Felizardo of Judicial Region (JR) 4A West, Jose Roy Arcuza of SC Team 4, Ace Aborque of NCJR South, Renz Christian Gapas of NCJR North, and Fonzo Gotladera of SC Team 1.

Kevin Enriquez of JR4A South was named League Most Valuable Player, while Clark “Tata” Bautista of SC Team 1 received the Finals Most Valuable Player award.

In the team standings, NCJR North finished as second runner-up, while SC Team 4 placed first runner-up.

SC Team 1 emerged as champion of the 2026 sportsfest.