Cebu gets new pickleball hub at Pickle Park at Woodlands with 8 int’l courts

 LILOAN, CEBU — Cebu’s pickleball craze just got a major upgrade with the opening of the Cebu Pickle Park at Woodlands officially on September 20, at One Tectona Hotel in Upper Yati, Liloan, bringing the province its first park-inspired pickleball destination complete with eight international-standard courts and a 200-seat Championship Court.

More than just a sports facility, the park was designed as a place to “play, gather, and relax.” It features five regular courts, two outdoor courts, an air-conditioned restaurant and sports lounge, spectator areas, showers, and ample parking — all set against mature trees and open green spaces.

Born from a hotpot conversation, the idea started with a group of friends who call themselves “The Good Guys.” During a regular hotpot dinner, lawyer and pickleball player Atty. Vincent Roel Tabuñag told the group how hard it was to book courts because demand was outpacing supply.

That complaint turned into a project. “We wanted to create a pickleball destination, not simply entering a sports facility.” said partner Butch Guillen.  Joined by Noli Caisip, Gerry Yangyang and Tom Academia, the group developed the park within the One Tectona Hotel complex, choosing the location for its trees, air, and resort-like feel.

Ironically, only Tabuñag was a serious player at the start. The rest barely played. To get it right, Tabuñag toured courts in Cebu, Dumaguete, Manila, and even Vietnam to study spacing, flooring, lighting, and player amenities.

Built for tournaments and beginners, the facility’s centerpiece is the Championship Court, with stadium-style seating for at least 200 spectators. It was built to host regional, national, and eventually international tournaments.

But the partners say it’s not just for pros. “Cebu Pickle Park was created for beginners, recreational players, families, corporate groups, tourists, and even visitors who simply want to watch a game or have coffee.  Pickleball has a very strong social aspect. People play together regardless of age, profession or background,” Guillen said.

Guests can dine, watch matches, or stroll the park even without a paddle. The park operates daily from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM.  Courts can be booked via the Cebu Pickle Park at Woodlands Facebook page or through the OndaFit app. Tournament and clinic schedules will also be posted online.

“Our vision is simple: We want Cebu Pickle Park to become a destination.  A place that local players and tourists intentionally visit because they want to experience one of Cebu’s premier pickleball facilities,” Guillen added.

For first-timers, the invitation is open: “Come to Cebu Pickle Park, pick up a paddle and give it a try. You might be surprised how quickly you fall in love with the game.” (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

PSA-CV promotes NIDAS adoption for ID verification

CEBU CITY — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Central Visayas highlighted the promotion of the National ID Authentication Services (NIDAS) during International Identity Day on September 16, an observance underscoring the fundamental importance of verifiable identity.

To mark the occasion, PSA Central Visayas brought National ID services directly to local communities through mobile registration drives across Cebu and Bohol. These efforts were complemented by informational booths, flyer distributions, and audio-visual presentations.

The featured services included--Digital National ID, National ID Check, National ID eVerify. These tools showcase practical use cases that demonstrate how the National ID streamlines identity verification and expands access to opportunities for citizens.

PSA Central Visayas also recently participated in capacity-building activities for the Citizen Authentication Portal (CAP) in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

By leveraging CAP for NIDAS-powered verification, the initiative strengthens data integrity to ensure government assistance reaches legitimate beneficiaries. Moving forward, CAP can serve Local Government Units (LGUs) that lack existing IT infrastructure, offering an accessible, ready-to-use platform for secure identity authentication.

Through the continued promotion and expansion of NIDAS, PSA Central Visayas encourages government agencies, LGUs, private establishments, and other authorized organizations to integrate National ID authentication into their daily services and transactions.

Interested organizations can coordinate with PSA Central Visayas for NIDAS orientations, onboarding requirements, and further information through the following channels: Email: rsso07@psa.gov.ph and at its Website: rsso07.psa.gov.ph. (Photos: PSA7 FB Posts)

NNC shifts to LGU-led drive to protect 8.7M Filipino children in first 1,000 days

 CEBU CITY — The National Nutrition Council (NNC) is turning over the frontline fight against child malnutrition to local governments, as it rolls out reforms aimed at cutting stunting rates among the country’s estimated 8.7 million children under five.

NNC-Central Visayas shared NNC Executive Director and DOH Undersecretary Dr. Albert Francis Domingo’s insights that the agency will move away from centralized feeding programs and instead download major dietary supplementation funds directly to LGUs.

Implementation belongs on the ground, directing massive, centralized feeding operations from a policy office often creates procurement and supply chain bottlenecks. To make sure LGU-led programs work, NNC is overhauling how it measures performance.

Instead of counting planning documents and compliance reports, the Council will now track real health outcomes — actual reductions in stunting, wasting, and underweight among children.  The new system will use multi-sectoral scorecards developed with the DBM, DILG, DepEd, and DSWD. LGU ratings will be tied directly to improvements in child nutrition data.

At the core of the strategy is an expanded “Unang Yakap” First 1,000 Days benefit package in partnership with PhilHealth and the DOH. The package covers the entire nutrition window — from pre-conception to 59 months — including food fortification like folate in flour to prevent birth defects, antenatal care, newborn vaccination, exclusive breastfeeding, and complementary feeding.

To reach families beyond 4Ps beneficiaries, NNC is also studying incentives that link routine health center visits to food assistance programs. Driving these efforts on the ground will be the country’s 42,000 Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), who conduct household mapping to find and assist malnourished children even in remote communities.

“Policy must align seamlessly with local execution. By sharpening our focus on outcome-based metrics, empowering LGUs, and safeguarding the first 1,000 days, we ensure public resources translate into a healthier, stunting-free future for Filipino children,” Domingo said.

NNC-7 said the reforms are part of its mandate to realign operations toward client-based services and prioritize hunger and malnutrition.

Under Presidential Decree No. 491, NNC functions primarily as a policy and coordinating body. The new setup, he said, empowers mayors, barangay officials, and community health workers to take full ownership of nutrition programs in their areas. (Photos: NNC-7)

 

Alter to Fit + Coffee Co. opens flagship store in Cebu

CEBU CITY — After 25 years of tailoring clothes for Filipinos, Alter to Fit is now tailoring an entirely new experience-- fashion served with coffee.  The homegrown brand officially opened its flagship store at Basement 2, Ayala Center Cebu on September 11, unveiling its first concept that combines apparel retail with a full coffee shop — ALTER TO FIT + COFFEE CO.

The launch marks two milestones at once. It celebrates the company’s 25th anniversary and its growth to 30 branches nationwide, while also signaling a shift in how the brand wants customers to shop.

"For 25 years we focused on fit. Now we’re focusing on experience," said founders Alvin and Carmi Balisblis, who led the ribbon-cutting together with key Cebu business leaders.

Joining them were Dr. Wallace Panlilio, Darwin John Moises, Vice President for Partnership of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce, and Mabel Penas, General Manager of Ayala Center Cebu. Dr. Panlilio and Sheryl Panlilio also led a Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving, a quiet moment amid the cameras and coffee cups.

Friends from Manila also flew in for the opening, underscoring how personal the milestone is for the Balisblis family.

The 25-year-old brand built its name on accessible, well-fitted apparel for everyday Filipinos. With 30 branches already across the country, the Cebu flagship is its boldest experiment yet.

The concept is simple: shop, get fitted, then stay for a cup. The new store brings together two daily essentials — style and caffeine — under one roof, targeting shoppers who want more than a quick transaction.

"People don’t just want to buy clothes anymore. They want a place to stay, to talk, to work," Carmi Balisblis said. "If coffee keeps you in the store longer, maybe you’ll find the perfect fit."

Choosing Cebu for the flagship was deliberate. Ayala Center Cebu is one of the country’s busiest malls, and the brand sees the Visayas as key to its next phase of growth.

"30 branches is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line," Alvin Balisblis said. "The next 25 years will be about redefining how people experience the brand."

With the coffee arm now in play, Alter to Fit is betting that retail’s future is less about racks and more about reasons to linger.

ALTER TO FIT + COFFEE CO. is now open daily at Basement 2, Ayala Center Cebu. Twenty-five years later, the brand is still fitting into the lives of Filipinos, only now, there’s coffee to keep the journey going. (Photos: Julienne Guanzon)

 

 

SM Prime, AIA, open football stadium in Cebu

CEBU CITY — Football in the Queen City of the South just got a big boost as AIA Philippines and SM Prime Holdings unveiled on September 12 the new AIA Stadium at SM Seaside City Cebu, a new community sports facility built to give Cebuanos more space to play, train, and live healthier lives.

The launch, held through the AIA Healthiest Schools Football Clinic, brought together 100 students, 30 local coaches, Tottenham Hotspur’s Shannon Moloney, and AIA Philippines Brand Ambassador Nico Bolzico for a two-day celebration of grassroots football and wellness.

“The launch of AIA Stadium marks an important milestone in our commitment to helping Filipinos live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.  It will be a community space that reflects our purpose, and strengthens our long-standing presence and growing impact in Cebu,” said Katherine Wong, Interim Chief Marketing Officer of AIA Philippines.

This new stadium for Cebu football is located inside SM Seaside City Cebu and is SM Prime’s latest push to turn malls into hubs for sports and community life.

“AIA Stadium reflects the new era of SM Supermalls, creating spaces that elevate sports, champion communities, and help fuel the next generation of athletes. We believe the stadium will play an important role in strengthening Cebu’s football ecosystem and inspiring more young athletes to pursue their passion,” said Michelle Leslie Llanos, Vice President of Operations, SM Supermalls–Visayas.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. said the facility fills a critical need. “Cebu has long embraced sports to bring communities together, develop young people, and promote healthier lifestyles. The launch of AIA Stadium is a welcome addition to our city's growing sports infrastructure,” Archival said in his speech.

Archival officially welcome AIA Stadium Cebu as a new space that will help the young Cebuanos discover their potential, build confidence, and grow through football and sports.

The stadium opened with AIA’s flagship “Healthiest Schools program” that focused on physical activity, nutrition, mental wellness, and environmental awareness. The clinic is supported by the Philippine Football Federation, Tottenham Hotspur FC, DepEd Cebu City Division, and the Cebu City LGU.

Moloney, Head of International Development Asia Pacific for Spurs, led a “Training of Trainers” for coaches from 11 Cebu City schools, then ran drills for students on day 2, September 12. Adrian New, AIA Group’s Director of Football Initiatives, said the partnership brings Spurs’ coaching approach to the Philippines.

“We have combined Tottenham Hotspur’s coaching approach with the Philippine Football Federation’s grassroots leadership and local coaching expertise in Cebu to create lasting impact,” New said.

He added that four things are needed to develop future Azkals and Filipinas: role models, parental support, professional coaching, and dedicated playing spaces, “and this stadium provides that last piece.”

The event ended with a viral-style “1 pro vs 100 kids” exhibition match. Team AIA, led by Moloney, Bolzico, and Cebu-based former players, faced Team 100 Students in a 10-minute game that drew cheers from families at the mall.

For SM, AIA Stadium is part of a bigger vision to make SM Seaside an “active hub” for Cebu. “The facility serves as a new sports destination within the growing football and wellness landscape of Cebu. We continue to create vibrant, community-centered spaces where sports can thrive and communities can grow,” Llanos said.

With over 1.1 million policyholders nationwide, AIA Philippines said the investment reflects its health advocacy beyond insurance. SM Prime, meanwhile, positions the stadium as proof that malls can do more than shop, they can build athletes.

As the final whistle blew and kids chased the ball across the new pitch, the message was clear: Cebu now has a new home for bigger dreams. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

SHDA-CV calls for urgent reforms to tackle regional housing crisis

CEBU CITY— The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association – Central Visayas (SHDA-CV) Housing Summit 2026, called on key stakeholders and real estate developers, national government agencies, local municipalities, and utility providers across Central Visayas, to break down systemic delays and tackle the country’s deepening housing crisis and growing needs. 

Speaking at the conclusion of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association – Central Visayas (SHDA-CV) Housing Summit 2026 on September 11 at Radisson Blu, SHDA-CV President Ken Salimbangon issued a rallying call for stronger public-private collaboration under the summit’s banner theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Forward”. 

Highlighting the untapped potential of the regional real estate sector, Salimbangon outlined five critical takeaways aimed at transforming regional growth and driving sustainable community development.

Salimbangon said that while reaffirming support for government oversight and buyer protection, he emphasized that prolonged permit approvals, particularly for Licenses to Sell (LTS) and evolving policies under the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) pose serious financial strains. 

"For developers, time has a real cost," Salimbangon noted, warning that delayed timelines inflate financing costs and reduce market supply, expenses that ultimately cascade down to home buyers. The industry’s call is not for less regulation, but for clear, predictable, and efficient governance. 

The region faces a severe shortage of affordable units, alongside significant national delivery gaps, with the local housing demand in Cebu City alone stands at 40,000 units, with even higher demands recorded in surrounding component cities and rural countryside areas.

Previous national campaign targets of delivering six million houses over six years, actual progress fell drastically short, with fewer than 500,000 units delivered, the Summit presentation noted.

Developers are required to fulfill a mandatory 15 percent counterpart requirement for socialized housing despite slim profit margins, Salimbangon told Manila Standard adding that in metropolitan areas, high land acquisition costs make single-family developments unsustainable, forcing developers toward Medium-Rise Buildings (MRB). Traditional lot developments remain viable primarily in countryside regions.

Addressing expanding urban centers, the summit highlighted the necessity of aligning housing projects with basic utility availability. Salimbangon urged national agencies, local government units (LGUs), and power and water providers to coordinate with developers early in the planning stage rather than reacting after infrastructure bottlenecks occur. 

“Synchronized infrastructure and utility planning is very important for developers and all key players in the industry,” he added.

In an economic landscape squeezed by rising fuel, material, labor, and logistics costs, homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult for the average Filipino family. Developers are challenged to look inward and adopt innovations in design, construction efficiency, and financing models to maintain quality without pushing price points out of reach. 

Salimbangon said that with infrastructure investments, carving out new economic centers, developers are encouraged to look beyond congested major hubs like metropolitan Cebu. By anticipating population shifts and establishing connected, eco-friendly, and livable communities in emerging corridors, the real estate sector can help shape, rather than merely follow balanced regional growth. 

The Summit underscored a unified public-private approach, underscoring that "no single sector can solve the housing challenge alone," SHDA-CV reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with government agencies to translate summit insights into actionable reforms. Recommended measures include streamlining local permitting processes, addressing infrastructure gaps early, and refining housing policy implementations.  

“What we are building is more than houses. We are building communities. We are building opportunities for families. And collectively, we are helping build the future of Central Visayas,” Salimbangon said in his closing message and reminded leaders that the ultimate goal extends far beyond physical construction.

With the summit concluded, SHDA-CV plans to submit specific policy recommendations to national and regional government bodies, ensuring the dialogue leads to tangible solutions for developers and home buyers alike. 

Policy recommendations are focused on accelerating LTS approvals, easing taxation burdens under the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA), and securing early utility integration to national and regional government bodies. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

Cebu Bakery World 2026 aims to help bakers beat rising industry costs

CEBU CITY — As the scent of fresh bread filled the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, the opening of Bakery World 2026 on Wednesday, September 10, brought together more than just flour, sugar, and celebrity chefs.

Beneath the flurry of live cooking demonstrations and cake competitions, the premier three-day Visayas bakery and foodservice expo tackled a pressing reality facing food entrepreneurs today--surviving in an era of soaring ingredient costs.

Organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), the biennial event, running from September 10 to 12, has returned to give regional bakers, café owners, and home-based startups direct access to tools, international suppliers, and cost-saving techniques without needing to travel to the capital.

"Measure Everything", the survival guide for modern bakeries.  With butter, sugar, and flour prices on a steady upward trajectory, industry veterans at the expo warned that passing every price increase on to consumers is a recipe for losing loyal regulars. Instead, speakers urged operators to optimize their margins through strict systems, localized ingredients, and smarter sourcing.

"To maintain profitability amidst rising prices, you need strict measurement and systems," shared Chef Buddy Trinidad, President of the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines and founder of Park Avenue Desserts, during an opening day talk. "Find your magic number for portion control... It prevents waste and keeps costing consistent per gram."

Trinidad urged owners to utilize modern Point of Sale (POS) systems to track exact ingredient usage and recipe costs, noting that high overall sales numbers can hide thin or non-existent profit margins.

He also cautioned young bakery owners against blindly copying international trends that don't fit local tastes, pointing to regional innovations like Ube Cheese Pandesal as proof that local ingredients can create global hits.

His advice for owners squeezed by capital costs? Collaborate. "Small bakeries can share expensive equipment like dough sheeters. Test the market first before making a big investment," he suggested.

Smarter sourcing and product innovations can greatly help bakers bridge the gap between premium quality and manageable margins, food service distributors showcased practical product alternatives, Trinidad said.

Global Pacific Distribution highlighted Bravo Butterich, a professional butter equivalent positioned between standard margarine and high-cost European butter. Tested by Trinidad in his classic croissant and traditional butter cake recipes, the alternative allows high-volume bakeries to maintain taste, aroma, and crumb quality without prohibitive expenses.

Similarly, Chef Joseph Leong, Technical Chef for Malaysian chocolate brand Beryl's Gourmet, emphasized the necessity of cost control and brand identity in a crowded marketplace.

"In a crowded market, a clear identity—whether through flavor, presentation, or the experience you create for customers—is essential," Leong noted.

Bringing business growth outside Manila is the goal of Bakery World 2026. First launched in 2018, Bakery World has established Cebu as a vital hub for culinary growth in the central and southern Philippines.

By bringing over 70 exhibitors, B2B ingredient suppliers, and machine manufacturers directly to Cebu, MCCI aims to level the playing field for Visayas and Mindanao entrepreneurs.

"In the past, bakery exhibitions were always held in Manila," said Kelly Ko, MCCI past president and Bakery World Committee Chair. "By holding Bakery World in Cebu, MCCI can help bakers not only in Cebu, but also those based in other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. We believe that the demand for baked goods will continue to grow as consumers look for healthier alternatives and new products."

          

MCCI Past President and Bakery World founder Stanley Go echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the event's ongoing focus on grassroots business development. "The goal was to help home-based bakers grow their businesses," Go said. "With Bakery World, we can bring in ways to help these small bakers... access ingredients and equipment they can use to increase productivity, improve product quality, and create new innovations."

Cebu Bakery World 2026 is a packed three-day showcase alongside business insights. The expo features star-studded masterclasses, headlined by Celebrity Chef Boy Logro, Chef Alvin Ong, and members of the Pastry Guild, alongside bread art and wedding cake decoration competitions.

MCCI President Barbara Gothong Tan highlighted the collaborative effort driving the event, noting that initiatives like Bakery World reinforce the chamber's mission of "creating a stronger and more connected business community capable of responding collectively to emerging economic challenges."

Bakery World 2026 runs through September 12 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino. (Photos: MBCNewman)