Philippine Sports Institute and Tour of Luzon launch webinar series

Tour of Luzon

THE MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 strengthens its commitment to athlete development and race excellence through a collaboration with the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) through a five-leg webinar series designed for participating cyclists and coaches starting on April 6.

“The webinar will focus on the practical strategies to enhance training, race day performance and recovery, which provides the additional layer of support for the participating teams,” said Pearl Managuelod, Institute Director of the Philippine Sports Institute.

As the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) sports science and training arm, PSI delivers programs designed to empower coaches, enhance high-performance development and support the holistic well-being of athletes.

“We are very glad that the PSC, through PSI, extends this kind of partnership with us. We are continuously evolving,” said Arrey Perez, MPTC Tour of Luzon CEO and Chief Organizer. “Year in and year out, we see new partners, upgrading not only the actual race but also the holistic safety and well-being of the athletes.”

Each session runs for up to 75 minutes and the topics include the Physiological Demands of Competing in Heat and Humidity, Hydration and Nutrition Strategies for Maximum Performance, Training Load Management and Recovery for Multi-stage Races, Mental Toughness and Team Communication and Anti-Doping.

The initiative marks the beginning of a broader collaboration between the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 and the PSI, which extends beyond the virtual sessions into comprehensive on-ground support in all 14 stages of the race set April 29 to May 13.

Services include sports programs featuring hydration monitoring, individualized fueling plans, and education aligned with anti-doping standards, as well as sports psychology support through daily consultations and athlete care.

In addition, sports physiotherapy services are provided, including injury prevention screening, recovery treatments and coordination with the medical team.

With this collaboration, the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 reinforces its vision of delivering a premier cycling competition while fostering a safer, more advanced, and athlete-centered sporting environment in the Philippines.

Delgaco pleased to see rowing's growth in the Philippines

Joanie Delgaco during the 2026 PRA Indoor Rowing Meet (c/o PSC)

First Filipina Olympic rower Joanie Delgaco shared her joy in seeing how much the Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) has grown from its once-small community.

The 2025 SEA Games gold medalist competed in an exhibition match alongside teammate Kristine Paraon, with whom she shared the podium—and fellow national athletes, Cris Nievarez, Edgar Ilas, Van Maxilom, and Ronnie Peñaredondo in the 2026 PRA Indoor Meet supported by the Philippine Sports Commission at the University Hotel, UP Diliman in Quezon City.

Delgaco shared that the tournament has seen a major boost in attendance jumping from a handful of participants last year to more than 100 entries in the current edition.

“Dati, nag-simula pa kami sa maliit na [space]. Ngayon, mas nakilala na ‘yung rowing, marami nang nakakakilala, and marami na rin na-eenganyo sa rowing. Ngayon, nakikita ko po na nag-eenjoy po talaga sila,” she said.

Paraon also shared her delight at the high volume of entries for the 2026 PRA meet.

“Happy ako na mas nakikilala pa ‘yung rowing sa Philippines. Sobrang saya ng PRA talaga, marami nang sumasali sa meet, hindi kagaya noon. Mas known na ‘yung rowing, and sana mas marami pa talagang sumuporta,” the 2023 World Rowing Indoor Champion said.

“Sana marami pang sumuporta and sumali sa rowing, open lang ‘yung PRA sa gustong mag-try,” she added.

Scheduled for March 28–29, the two-day 2026 PRA Meet acts as the primary recruitment test for national team selection.

Foreign coach Aliaksandra Tsekhanovich, three months in with the Philippine rowing team, aims to strengthen the athletes' holistic conditioning. She praised the current event as a start toward for Filipino rowers.

“I think we need to establish more rowing clubs in the regions—just in general. We need to really make rowing accessible for everyone. The Philippines is surrounded by water and there are so many places to row,” she said.

“We just have to grow the sport, do it right, and provide more access so people can learn about it. We need to make it more popular so people can actually visualize themselves rowing,” she added.

New icons to shine in Philippine Sports Hall of Fame

In photo: (L-R) Vovinam Federation of the Philippines secretary general Jose “Jop” Malonzo, Xavier Virata of Ayala Foundation Inc., PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, POC President Bambol Tolentino, GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, and Pilipinas Curling secretary general Jarryd Bello.

The distinguished Philippine Sports Hall of Fame will welcome its fifth batch of inductees on May 20 at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, a venue steeped in the nation’s athletic heritage.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino spearheaded the seven-man selection committee, which led the search for the latest additions to the growing roster of legendary Filipino sports figures.

Established in 1999 under Republic Act No. 8757, signed by then-President Joseph Estrada, the Hall of Fame was created to immortalize Filipino sporting excellence and inspire future generations.

Joining Gregorio and Tolentino in the screening process held Monday at the PSC media conference room were Games and Amusement Board Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, Xavier Virata of Ayala Foundation Inc., Vovinam Federation of the Philippines secretary general Jose “Jop” Malonzo, and Pilipinas Curling secretary general Jarryd Bello.

The panel carefully selected the new enshrinees from a nomination pool of 75 distinguished athletes and coaches.

Before the committee’s final verdict, a review panel of veteran sports journalists evaluated the nominees.

Among them were Quinito Henson (Philippine Star), Al Mendoza (Business Mirror), Dodo Catacutan (Spin.ph), Jun Lomibao (Business Mirror), and Ignacio Dee (Manila Standard), who ensured that the accomplishments of each nominee were meticulously dissected and that the stringent criteria for Hall of Fame enshrinement were faithfully upheld.

Since its inaugural induction in 2010, the Hall of Fame has enshrined 47 icons of Philippine sports. The first batch included Simeon Toribio, Miguel White, Caloy Loyzaga, Ceferino Garcia, Pancho Villa, Gabriel Elorde, and Teofilo Yldefonso.

Subsequent classes honored names such as Mona Sulaiman, Eugene Torre, Olivia Coo, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Paeng Nepomuceno, Robert Jaworski, Roel Velasco, Leopoldo Serrantes and Paulino Alcantara, among others.

Eligibility for enshrinement is reserved for Filipino athletes, coaches, and trainers who have achieved podium finishes in the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, Olympic Games, or World Championships, or who have earned world titles in professional or amateur competition.

As the Hall of Fame prepares to immortalize another generation of Filipino sporting greats, the May 20 ceremony promises not only to celebrate individual achievement but also to reaffirm the enduring legacy of Philippine sports on the global stage.

PSC chair Pato Gregorio named guest of honor at SAC Awards

PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio is the guest of honor and keynote speaker of the 40th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio will grace the 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Brewery (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards as guest of honor and keynote speaker of the milestone event slated on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

It's a sweet homecoming of sorts for Gregorio, who lived in Cebu for six years from 2000 to 2006 as General Manager of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and as chairman of the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau promoting the province as a sports tourism destination.

An established businessman, hotelier, and sports executive, the 58-year-old Gregorio is the 13th chairperson of the PSC, a government agency responsible for the country's sports development.

Before reaching the top echelon of leadership in Philippine sports, Gregorio has held various positions and major roles, including as president of the Philippine Rowing Association where Filipino rowers qualified for the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics.

Additionally, Gregorio once served as secretary-general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) during the league's 2014–2015 season, and member of the Executive Board of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Furthermore, he helped in sports marketing initiatives with Smart Communications and led DuckWorld PH, a sports management firm that relaunched the "Tour of Luzon" cycling event.

After being appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as PSC chairman in July 2025, Gregorio's administration focused on athlete welfare, strengthening sports facilities, professionalizing sports governance, and boosting sports tourism.

He was later appointed to head the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee under Administrative Order 38 signed by President Marcos, integrating sports with tourism promotion.

Under his watch, the Philippines hosted and made bids for major international sports events, including volleyball, gymnastics, surfing, futsal and tennis competitions.

Just a few weeks ago, Gregorio was honored as "Executive of the Year" by the Philippine Sportswriters 
Association (PSA) for his early achievements as PSC chief.

Gregorio's presence will surely add glitz to the forthcoming SAC Awards, especially in inspiring the outstanding Cebuano athletes to strive even further in pursuit of excellence in their respective fields.

PSC receives Manny Pacquiao memorabilia for its Museum

Pacquiao to the President (c/o PSC)

A few items that were part of Manny Pacquiao's historic career are set to be donated to the Philippine Sports Museum.

The handover took place on Tuesday at the facility, located within the Philippine Sports Commission's complex in Pasig City, with Pacquiao himself turning them over to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

First Lady Liz Araneta-Marcos, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, and Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo also graced the proceedings. Also present are the PSC's Commissioners in Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston, and Walter Torres, as well as its Executive Director, Atty. Guillermo Iroy.

These artifacts from Pacquiao's Hall of Fame career are added to the permanent collection of the Museum, as it reaffirms its commitment to safeguard the athletic legacy of the Philippines and celebrate the Filipino's sporting achievements, inspiring the current and future generations of citizens and athletes.

Among the items headed to the PSM are the fight trunks from his title fights against Miguel Cotto in 2009 (where he claimed his seventh world title in a seventh different weight division), and Antonio Margarito in 2010 (where he became the first and only fighter to win world titles in eight separate weight classes). He also is sending a championship belt from the World Boxing Council, which is a globally recognized emblem of excellence that not only represents victory but also a legacy defined by resilience, courage, and reinvention.

In receiving these items, Gregorio shares, "We commit Manny Pacquiao's legacy to national memory to inspire and ignite future champions. Your sweat. Your tears. Your blood. Your life. We can never thank you enough."

He adds, "The legend of Manny Pacquiao put the Philippines on the world map. He made the world look at us with awe and respect. This is our narrative as a nation: a story of grit, sacrifice and courage--violent but truthful and, in the end, triumphant."

And in line with Marcos receiving these artifacts himself directly from Pacquiao, Gregorio concludes, "When the President recognizes and memorializes an athlete, he places sports at the center of nation-building--this appeals to the heart and nobility of athletes across the nation."

Recognized globally as the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, Pacquiao captured world titles across multiple weight classes, redefining the boundaries of the sport while elevating Philippine pride on the international stage.

These memorabilia represent more than milestones in a boxing career — they embody moments when Filipino determination, discipline, and excellence resonated across the world.

The ceremonial handover further affirms the Museum’s role as a custodian of collective and cultural memory — transforming extraordinary individual triumphs into enduring sources of national pride and inspiration.

Philippine Sports Hall of Fame seeking nominations

The quest to find the next set of Hall of Famers is now officially in motion, as the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame has opened the field for nominations for its fifth batch of honorees.

Individuals and organizations are invited to nominated deserving sports icons that has helped shaped the country's sporting history.

In making the announcement, the PSHOF shares,  

We have the honor to inform you that nominations for the 5th Enshrinement of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame (PSHOF) are now officially open.

The PSHOF, institutionalized through Republic Act No. 8757, aims to recognize and enshrine outstanding Filipino athletes, coaches, and trainers who have brought great distinction and recognition to the country through their exceptional achievements in sports.

In this regard, we respectfully invite your esteemed office to endorse and submit nominations for consideration.

Nominees should fit the following criteria, with the achievements fitting in-between 1924-2014:

Athletes

• Can be amateur or professional, with para-athletes also eligible
• Has to be retired from active international competition
• Gold Medalist in any Southeast Asian Games or at least a Silver Medalist in any Asian Games or Asian Cup or regional games or at least a Bronze medalist in any Olympic or World Games; or a titleholder or World Champion in any professional or amateur sports competition.
• Athletic Performance should have a wide, historic and unprecedented global impact.
• Candidates should have unquestionable integrity either local or abroad, before and after the event.

Coaches

• Candidates should have unquestionable integrity either local or abroad, before and after the event.
• Can be either a coach or trainer, amateur or professional
• Has to be retired from actively coaching or training competitors internationally 
• Has coached or trained a Gold medalist in any Southeast Asian Games or at least a Silver Medalist in any Asian Games or Asian Cup or regional games or at least a Bronze medalist in any Olympic or World Games; or a titleholder or World Champion in any professional or amateur sports competition.

Nominations can be coursed through email at halloffame@psc.gov.ph, with a deadline of submission scheduled this March 15.

The last batch featured these highly-esteemed individuals

• Paulino Alcantara (football)
• Eric Buhain (swimming)
• Dionisio Calvo (football / basketball)
• Arianne Cerdena (bowling)
• Robert Jaworski (basketball)
• Gertrudes Lozada (swimming)
• Elma Muros-Posadas (athletics)
• Rogelio Onofre (athletics)
• Leopoldo Serrantes (boxing)
• Roel Velasco (boxing)

For more details one can check the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame website.

Maya extends PSC partnership with Batang Pinoy 2025 support

As part of its ongoing partnership with the Philippines Sports Commission, Maya is extending its support towards the 2025 edition of the Batang Pinoy competition, the premier grassroots sports program for young athletes.

The country's top digital bank and all-in-one fintech platform will help during the event through introducing/encouraging the participants to set up their own financial accounts and make simple and secure digital banking tools available to them, enabling them to have a little bit of financial stability and support their everyday needs. At the same time, it remains fulfilled towards its mission to build more inclusive access to financial services across sectors.

With this partnership, the PSC is set to send allowances for national athletes digitally, instead having it done manually like in previous editions. Teaching them in managing their own finances also allows them to have a solid digital foundation for future potential financial literacy programs to be launched down the line for athlete development. It also serves as a big element in the agency emphasis towards digital transformation.

According to Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan, "Supporting PSC’s grassroots programs allows us to engage with the sports community in a meaningful way." He adds, "Batang Pinoy gives us a great opportunity to connect with young athletes and help them take their first steps toward digital financial access."

From the government's end, PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio says, "We’re grateful for Maya’s continued support for Batang Pinoy. By enabling the electronic distribution of allowances, Maya helps us provide our athletes and delegates with a faster, safer and more convenient experience—so they can focus on what matters most: competing and growing."

Established since 1998, Batang Pinoy is considered as the PSC's flagship program for grassroots sports, with the idea of giving opportunities towards out-of-school youth and the marginalized sectors. Aside from athletic development, it also has an emphasis on values formation, such as discipline, hard work, camaraderie and sportsmanship.

This year's edition is set to take place in General Santos City from October 25-30, with over fifteen thousand participating athletes in 27 sporting disciplines.

With the partnership in place, Maya and the PSC remain committed to working together to bring financial access and digital tools closer to the sports community. Through Batang Pinoy 2025, this partnership goes beyond the event itself—introducing young athletes to secure, easy-to-use financial services that can support their future, on and off the field.

Philippines unveils seven-year program in partnership with FIVB, announced as host for 2029 Women's World Championships

c/o FIVB, Volleyball World, and the PNVF

Before the final of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship commenced, a special announcement took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

FIVB President Fabio Azevedo, and Brazilian volleyball icon Leila Barros shared to the fans present that the Philippines is set to host the 2029 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.

Azevedo tells the crowd, "Thank you very much for your warm welcome. Thank you for hosting the best world championships ever." Before adding, "But now. when you’re thinking that we’re going to the end, we have an amazing surprise …. Philippines are you ready?"

Barros then says in her native Portuguese, "Congratulations Philippines! You are hosting the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championships!" The volleyball icon and now senator back home concludes, "Mahal ko kayo!"

The announcement completes the schedule of the World Championships in the next two editions.

2027 sees Poland (men) and the United States and Canada (women) as hosts, with Qatar previously announced as the host for the 2029 edition for the men.

In a subsequently statement, Azevedo notes, "Hosting the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 in the Philippines is an opportunity to again showcase not only the very best of volleyball but also the positive impact our sport has on society."

The Women's World Championship is set to be the centerpiece of a seven-year volleyball development program unveiled by the Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, positioning the country as a rising global hub for the sport. He made the presentation to key FIVB and Volleyball World officials, including Azevedo, VW CEO Ugo Valensi, and Ramon Suzara, who not only is the head of both the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the Asian Volleyball Confederation, but also is a FIVB Executive Vice President. 

Also present for the presentation are all five of FIVB's continental confederation presidents, as well as the 24-member FIVB Board of Administration, and PNVF Secretary-General Don Caringal. 

Gregorio says about this new partnership, "This long-term partnership with FIVB and Volleyball World—a transformative empowerment program for our athletes first, and a bold push for sports tourism toward economic growth second—will not only allow our country to be at the heart of volleyball’s global growth; it will set a historic blueprint for Philippine sports development overall."

Building on the success of the Men's World Championship, the PSC sees a transformative opportunity in the world of Philippine volleyball, combining elite athlete development with sports tourism, with the latter being aligned to the national tourism agenda as it tries to attract fans worldwide to come visit the country.

The program also includes other aspects like sports education and infrastructure, broadcast production, global marketing integration, imapct studies, and ticket consultancy, with the aspiration of getting both its indoor and beach teams berths in the 2032 Olympics.

Suzara adds, "We are determined to carry forward the momentum of the World Championship 2025 and channel it into something lasting for our athletes, our fans and our nation. It is also an honor to see the sport that I love contribute meaningfully to my nation’s sports and tourism agenda."

From VW's perspective, Valensi says, "Building on the success of the Men’s World Championship here in 2025, we know the Philippines offers the perfect stage to inspire the next generation and connect communities across the country and the region."

Azevedo adds, "This is a landmark program and our boldest one yet, but we are absolutely committed, because we believe in the potential of the Philippines, and we could not ask for a better partner in our mission to transform the world through sport. Let us create history together for volleyball in Asia."

To prepare for the hosting, Gregorio shares, "We will form a consortium with private sectors and organizations to lead and sustain this project, to create even more opportunities for our athletes and fans to be part of something truly special." He also stresses that this move will not just be a government-led initiative.

He concludes, "We will pursue this passionately, with much gratitude to the FIVB, Volleyball World and the entire Global Volleyball Movement for their friendship and support."

Aside from the World Championships, it is expected that the Philippines will serve as a future host for legs in both the Volleyball National League and the Beach Volleyball Pro Tour, and likely hosting the 2023 AVC Continental Championships that would serve as the Qualifier for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

NCAA reveals Season 101 logo, forges partnership with the PSC

(Seated from Left to Right): Mr. Melchor Divina, NCAA Committee Chairperson and MU Athletics Moderator, Dr. Dodgie Maestrecampo, MU President and CEO, Mr. Patrick Gregorio, PSC Chairman, Walter Francis Torres and Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, PSC Commissioner.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officially forged a proud partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with the signing of a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement.

It also marked the debut of the new logo for NCAA Season 101, followed the turnover of Mapúa University as the host school for this year’s season. The event was held recently at Mapúa University in Intramuros, Manila.

The signing ceremony was attended by committee members from the 10 participating schools, Mapúa University President and CEO Dr. Dodgie Maestrecampo, NCAA Management Committee Chairperson and Mapúa Athletics Moderator Mr. Melchor Divina, PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, and PSC Commissioners Walter Francis Torres and Matthew “Fritz” Gaston.

This partnership opens a new era in collegiate sports, as the PSC and NCAA join forces to enhance athlete development and empowerment of collegiate sports excellence. The new logo, which symbolizes dynamism, greatness, and unity, represents the NCAA's evolving values and its commitment to embracing innovation in sports.

With Mapúa University as the season’s host, Divina also introduced a revamped basketball game format, which divides the teams into two groups and includes two elimination rounds.

This change intensifies the competition and offers a fresh, exciting challenge for the participating schools. Atty. Rico Paolo Quicho, the incoming NCAA Basketball Commissioner for Season 101, also spoke about the fierce competition that lies ahead, stressing that every game will be crucial.

He added that with the new format, complacency will no longer be an option and only consistency will lead to success.

PSC Chairman Gregorio expressed his gratitude for the partnership, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the collaboration, “And this is a milestone. Sabi ko nga, this is a covenant that must last another 100 years.’’

``Imagine we have three or four more Olympic sports in the NCAA calendar, with the support of PSC, with the cooperation of the NCAA. We can expect more medals in the Olympics,” added Gregorio.

Gregorio also shared his message to the ten participating schools and the NCAA Committee and expressed optimism for the swift partnership with the PSC, highlighting its mutual benefits and also emphasizing the importance of the future of NCAA schools student-athletes, noting that it will aspire them towards a pathway to elite competitions globally including the Olympics.

“But in the next three to five years, this is a legacy for the NCAA. The NCAA started 101 years ago and you are reinventing the league to serve the country. That is why I’m very happy,” said Gregorio.

In the comments of the new basketball game format, Chairman Gregorio said, “No harm in trying, you know. We’ll never know if it is successful or not unless we try, Gano’n ang sports ’diba. You try to conceptualize and invent and reinvent to highlight the excitement of basketball. So all the best to [the] NCAA,’’ said Gregorio.