 |
| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Sunrise Events Inc.) |
After a one-year hiatus, the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao is set not just for a comeback, but for an explosive return to the global triathlon scene as it kickstarts the 2026 season on March 22, 2026 with its milestone fifth staging. This edition promises to be its most spectacular yet, cementing its place as the yardstick for IRONMAN 70.3 races in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific. “IRONMAN 70.3 Davao has evolved into more than just a race. It is a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural pride and community spirit,” said Princess Galura, president and general manager of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. – the exclusive IRONMAN licensee in the country – during the official launch. The landmark event will set a new benchmark in endurance sports with an expected huge international turnout, a refined and world-class course, and a festival atmosphere that only Davao can deliver. Galura added, “The fifth edition will elevate the racing experience like never before – with faster courses, richer cultural immersion, and unmatched community support.”
The 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Davao will also serve as a global proving ground with competitors from across continents expected to converge in the King City of the South, drawn by the race’s reputation for top-tier organization, technical excellence and a course that balances speed, scenery, and soul. From the dramatic swim (1.9km) in Talomo Bay framed by the majestic Mt. Apo, to the lightning-fast bike leg (90km) along the Davao City Coastal Road, and a scenic run (21.1km) flanked by thousands of local supporters, every segment is curated to deliver a world-class race-day experience. Beyond the competition, IRONMAN 70.3 Davao 2026 will again serve as a beacon of community resilience and cultural pride. With the theme centered around Tribu Maisugon – a tribute to the courageous spirit of Dabawenyos – the event will transform the city into a living festival, spotlighting local art, heritage, and traditions. “We are honored to host the fifth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 in Davao. It’s more than a race – it’s a citywide celebration. Our people’s hospitality, energy, and commitment to excellence ensure that every athlete feels like a champion the moment they arrive,” said acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte. Registration is now open. For details, visit www.ironman.com/im703-davao or email sai.mayol@sunriseevents.com.ph. The fifth edition also marks the most inclusive and ambitious edition to date with a series of new events designed to broaden participation and foster a deeper connection with the community.
The Gwapa Dabawenya Run returns bigger than ever with three new categories – 21km Pinakagwapa, 10km Mas Gwapa, and 5km Gwapa Dabawenya. Celebrting the strength, beauty and empowered spirit of Dabawenyas, this event has grown into a movement of pride and participation. The Sprint Distance Triathlon will also make it debut, tailored for newcomers, beginners and returning triathletes seeking a shorter but equally thrilling taste of IRONMAN racing. The IRONKIDS Aquathlon will likewise offer a fun, inclusive introduction for young athletes through a swim-run format – planting the seeds of future champions and reinforcing the race’s legacy in grassroots sports development. A refreshed emblem will also be unveiled to symbolize Davao’s resilience, diversity and the unbreakable spirit of the triathlon community and represent five years of unforgettable moments, unity and progress.
* * * *
Alas Pilipinas Leads Grassroots Volleyball Sports Clinic With MILO PH
 |
| (Image Source: Manila Standard/MILO Philippines) |
True to its purpose of nourishing the journey of Filipinos to grow with sports, MILO® Philippines successfully held a volleyball sports clinic initiative,teaching the fundamentals of the sport to kids aged 7 to 16 years old last September 28, 2025. Engaging with emerging athletes from the MILO®-backed BEST Center Sports and select students from Pasig public elementary and high schools, such effort comes as the latest in the MILO® commitment of strengthening grassroots sports, and teaching the values sports can provide in and out of the court: teamwork, grit, and discipline. During the event, the young athletes had a fun yet learning-filled morning, picking up the fundamentals of volleyball from all-star teaching roster consisting of members of the Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team including Josh Ybañez, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, Jack Kalingking, and Michaelo Buddin as well as coaches from BEST Center.
The MILO® grassroots program was made possible through the ongoing tie-up between MILO® and Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025. With Alas Pilipinas etching themselves in history by not only making their debut in the biggest stage of world volleyball but also marking the first-ever win in the said competition, the players shared once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the young athletes as they learned and were mentored directly by some of the best in volleyball today. Throughout the clinic, both Alas Pilipinas players and coaches taught the basics of volleyball – covering spiking, setting, service, receiving – and concluded with an exhibition game with select students and Alas Pilipinas players themselves. An open play session was also conducted after the clinic proper, inviting members of the public to learn and play volleyball with BEST Center. All in all, the grassroots sports clinic became another milestone for MILO® to showcase how sports make a good teacher, teaching not only physical and motor skills, but values that young athletes can bring with them for life, and shape them into being champion individuals. With MILO® having engaged 3 million kids to get into sports in 2025 alone, the brand commits itself to providing more such opportunities to encourage more aspiring athletes to live active and learn the values of sports.
“This event was shaped to synergize the talents of the best in volleyball today, our Alas Pilipinas athletes, and the potential of the next generation of champions. We are thankful to the PNVF and Alas Pilipinas for their support and being an inspiration to our kids, and our partners at BEST Center who have always shared our goal of getting more kids into sport. We hope this initiative serves as an opportunity to motivate our younger athletes to excel in sport; while also inviting more of the future generation to be champions, whether it be on the court or otherwise,” said Head of MILO® Sports Carlo Sampan.
* * * *
FIBA And Cignal Strengthen Broadcast Partnership In The Philippines
 |
| (Image Source: SportsMint Media/FIBA/Cignal TV Inc.) |
A new agreement has been signed between FIBA and long-standing broadcast partner Cignal TV Inc. which will continue to provide basketball content on multiple platforms and channels in the Philippines. The deal is set to play a role in continuing to help grow the game, reinforcing an already fruitful partnership that will now extend into a second decade with the country's largest and leading broadcast media company having been a FIBA rights-holder since 2017. An exciting multi-platform approach for this next broadcast period is expected to maximize the exposure of the sport by showcasing FIBA tournaments to both traditional television audiences and fans who prefer to consume basketball digitally.
Cignal has consistently delivered eye-catching ratings for FIBA events, particularly for games featuring Gilas Pilipinas - the Philippines' men's national basketball team - which are among the most-watched broadcasts in the country. Most notably, they previously provided extensive and impressive coverage of the hugely successful and historic FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 which was co-hosted by the Philippines and saw the Final phase of the competition being held in the country. The new four-year agreement includes Free-to-Air, Pay-TV, and OTT (Over-The-Top) rights, ensuring that FIBA competitions are accessible to viewers right across Cignal’s major platforms and channels. FIBA basketball will continue to broadcast on Free-to Air Channels One Sports and RPTV, Pay TV Channels One Sports+ and PBA Rush, and OTT streaming platforms Pilipinas Live, Cignal Play, and Cignal Super. The Pilipinas Live app will also offer Video on Demand for all FIBA games, plus exclusive curated content, including game & player highlights. Cignal will broadcast games from all of FIBA's major events and Qualifiers. This will include not only the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 but also the 32nd edition of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup which will be hosted in the Philippines in 2027.
FIBA Media and Marketing Services Director General Frank Leenders stated, "As we saw at the last FIBA Basketball World Cup, the passion for basketball in the Philippines is incredible, and Cignal has already proven how important it is to have a respected and valued broadcast partner who can meet that voracious appetite for the sport. We are delighted to have been able to extend our relationship for another four-year period and it's tremendous news for the fans. They will be able to consume basketball content in more ways than ever before. Growing the FIBA game globally is something we always have in our minds and the acceleration in popularity shows no signs of slowing down - thanks to the work of our broadcast partners such as Cignal." Cignal President and CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas said, "There is nothing like the passion of our Filipino basketball fans. Our renewed partnership with FIBA is a testament to our commitment to them. We will continue to make sure that everyone can get the basketball content that they need, no matter what device they're using."
* * * *
UAAP Renews Tie-Up With Varsity Lifestyle Co Until 2028
 |
| L-R: UAAP Board of Managing Directors Representative Gilda Ma. Paz Kamus of University of Sto. Tomas, Varsity Lifestyle Co Business Development Head Kirk Damasco, UAAP Season 88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio OP, UAAP Board of Managing Directors Representative Emmanuel Calanog of De La Salle University (Image Source: Manila Standard/UAAP Season 88 Media Team) |
The UAAP and Varsity Lifestyle Co renewed their partnership for three more years in a ceremonial contract signing last October 4, 2025 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion. VLC and the UAAP started their collaboration in 2023 and with this, the official licensed merchandise brand is now assured to be in the venues for three more years to give students, alumni, and sports fans a more memorable experience. UAAP Season 88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP and VLC Business Development Head Kirk Damasco signed the contract with Board of Managing Directors representatives Emmanuel Calanog of De La Salle University and Gilda Ma. Paz Kamus of University of Santo Tomas served as witnesses. “In so many ways, it’s a dream come true in a sense before naalala namin pumipila lang kami ng 3:00 am for tickets eh tapos ‘yung makukuha namin yung Gen Ad or Upper. Eventually, to do merchandise for all schools and to watch all the games and cheer for all the teams. Very fulfilling, very meaningful,” said Damasco.
VLC is present in most games, selling different type of items with designs especially curated for each of the eight member-schools to heighten the UAAP experience for fans. Among the merchandise they are offering are school shirts, football kits, varsity jackets, hoodies, sweat shirts, caps, ballers, stickers, lanyards, keychains, and scarves. Damasco added, “We started talaga with a new brand in 2023 and it was a conscious effort when we started to really grow the brand. The goal is to really capture the lifestyle of varsity student-athletes and even students and fans of the teams and schools kasi may non-UAAP school fans din naman tayo. Among the efforts are really to be relevant to day-to-day lives and trends of the students, to be present in almost all games, and to give voice and representation to all schools, and be in platforms where the fans are online and offline.” Aside from being in the venues, VLC merchandise can also be acquired via online at www.varsitylifestyleco.com where they offer discounts and bundles at times.
For Kamus who is also the Season 88 treasurer, this partnership renewal is a sign of more things to come as students, alumni, and fans alike continue to enjoy the offerings of VLC. “Malaking factor itong extension ng partnership kasi ang reach niyan especially ay talagang bumababa na for the students, hindi lang for the student-athletes pero kumbaga, they’ll feel na ‘suot ito ng idol ko’ so kumbaga they are really part of it. Hindi man nila physically makasama, through the shirts, through the designs of VLC ay parang they are with their idols.”
* * * *
SEGA Teams Up With The International Olympic Committee On A New Multi-Year Licensing Agreement Celebrating The Olympic Brand And Sonic The Hedgehog
 |
| (Image Source: International Olympic Committee) |
SEGA CORPORATION and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the guardian of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement, recently announced a new multi-year agreement celebrating the legacies of Sonic the Hedgehog and the Olympic brand. The first look at the upcoming 'Five Rings' collaboration is available now featuring the Olympic rings with a supersonic Sonic the Hedgehog spin. This sneak peek into the custom art highlights the connection with Sonic and the core Olympic values including excellence, respect and friendship. SEGA & IOC are seeking key partners for a full merchandise collection to launch in 2026.
“We’re committed to fostering respectful and inclusive communities across the globe at SEGA. Partnering with the International Olympic Committee allows us to bring those values to the forefront, especially with the Five Rings program, and celebrate the innovative and diverse spirit both of these brands promote,” said SEGA CORPORATION President, Chief Operating Officer, and Representative Director Shuji Utsumi. “The IOC is delighted to unite with SEGA for this exciting new chapter for the Olympic brand, embracing the power of storytelling and innovation to engage audiences globally. By combining the universally recognized Olympic rings with the beloved character of Sonic, we are creating fresh opportunities for fans of all ages to experience the spirit of sport and play in new and memorable ways,” said IOC TMS Deputy Managing Director Elisabeth Allaman. Through the forging of the agreement with the International Olympic Committee, SEGA and the IOC will explore opportunities to license the designs for select merchandise collaborations, inviting like-minded brands to join in this unique fusion of sports and video games. The licensing agreement is the result of the IOC’s Global Licensing Strategy – an initiative driven by Olympic Agenda 2020+5 that aims to engage and connect fans through official merchandise that strengthens and promotes the Olympic brand, not only during the Olympic Games, but between Games editions as well.
In addition to the Olympic Collection which aims to engage a young and active audience through unique branded products including apparel, toys and games, bags, stationery items and sports equipment, the IOC’s core licensing programmes include the Olympic Heritage Collection, which offer products featuring art and design elements from previous Games editions such as apparel, mascots and accessories, connecting fans and connoisseurs with the rich heritage of past Olympic Games, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Collections, which celebrate each upcoming edition of the Games and include a wide range of accessories, souvenirs, fan gear and apparel. Through the sale of official merchandise, collectibles and souvenirs, the Olympic licensing programmes offer fans a tangible connection to the Olympic Games and the Olympic values.
* * * *
PSPGTO Pro-Am Golf Showcases Champions, Camaraderie At Intramuros
 |
| Shown during the ceremonial tee off of the inaugural PSPGTO PRO-AM Tournament, L-R: Art Reyes and Elmer Felipe of the Stronghold team, Mario Manubay, Doming Umadhay, Mars Pucay, Kier Legaspi, Ronald Pactolerin (Image Source: Manila Standard/Pilipinas Senior Pro Golf Tour Organization) |
The historic fairways of the Intramuros Golf Club were recently filled with energy and camaraderie as the Pilipinas Senior Pro Golf Tour Organization (PSPGTO) staged its inaugural PSPGTO PRO-AM Tournament, a groundbreaking event pairing veteran senior professionals with eager amateurs. The tournament brought together seasoned champions and spirited dreamers in a celebration of golf that was about more than just scores. “This tournament was more than just golf — it was about building bridges between generations of players and creating a community around the sport we love,” said the organization in a statement.
The highlight of the day came during the awarding ceremony where winners were recognized not only for their skill on the greens but also for embodying the values of sportsmanship and fellowship that PSPGTO aims to champion. Senior professionals guided their amateur partners through the course, blending mentorship with competition and creating memorable experiences for both sides. While the winners enjoyed their moment under the spotlight, the true victory lay in the tournament’s spirit of unity. Participants shared laughter, stories, and even a few swing tips, showing that golf thrives as much on connection as it does on performance. Backed by strong support from sponsors and media partners, the inaugural PRO-AM set the tone for what PSPGTO envisions as an annual tradition that will promote senior professional golf in the Philippines and inspire greater participation from new and aspiring players.
PSPGTO emphasized, “Our mission is clear. We want to celebrate the experience of our senior pros, ignite passion among amateurs, and strengthen the golfing community nationwide.” With its successful debut, the PSPGTO PRO-AM Tournament is poised to become a fixture on the Philippine golf calendar — where legends and dreamers tee off together, year after year.
