Cebu hosts Pickle Fest 2026 with Young Aces Eye Asia on spotlight

CEBU CITY – Pickleball Championship League (PCL)-Asia hosts the Pickle Fest 2026 in Cebu, bannered by the PCL Rising Stars Under-19 Sectional Tournament, beginning March 11-14 at Net and Paddle courts at Sawang Calero, Cebu City, after the successful play in Davao City and in Manila.

Organizers believe Cebu’s hosting is both a celebration of the sport’s roots and a launching pad for its future. Pickleball’s growth over the last decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. From a single introductory clinic in Cebu to more than 320 clubs nationwide, the sport has truly captured the imagination of Filipino athletes, PCL Chairman Steve Kuhn said, in a press conference, March 10 at the Net and Paddle court facility.

“The successful staging in Davao showed the level of organization and talent we now have. With PCL Asia supporting the sectional pathway, our young players are no longer just competing locally — they are preparing to shine on the regional stage. The potential of our Filipino youth in pickleball is immense, and Cebu’s homecoming edition will once again prove that we can compete and excel in Asia,” said Richard Bachman, KAVC Operations Director.

The Young Aces Eye Asia team of four players, dreaming of bigger stages, are on the spotlight at the Pickle Fest 2026 Cebu.  Backed by PCL Asia, the Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament offers more than medals and bragging rights, it provides a structured development pathway for young athletes — featuring standardized rules, regional qualifiers, and cross-border competition culminating in a coveted berth to the PCL Asia Grand Finals on Hainan Island this April.

The recent Davao leg underscored the depth of emerging Filipino talent. Team Velaris, composed of Shesha Bree Biñas, Chrystelle Marjh Elisan, Izzy Lacida and Jacob Cagas edged the SABR squad 23-21 in a thrilling finale at Pickletown to clinch the gold medal and secure a slot in the Asia Grand Finals, Bachman shared.

Along with the qualification came a US$1,000 development grant from the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy, plus full support from PCL Asia covering airfare, accommodations and local transportation.   With registration ongoing, parents, schools, clubs and local communities are encouraged to rally behind the athletes and take part in what promises to be a landmark moment for the sport, Bachman added.

While the U19 division serves as the centerpiece, adult categories, from Novice to Low and High Intermediate and the Open division continue to fuel rivalries in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles, reflecting the sport’s expanding reach across age groups and skill levels, Tournament Director Ceasar Guinto told media.

Guinto said, Pickleball’s unique blend of tennis, badminton and table tennis played on a compact court with paddles and a perforated ball, has made it both accessible and intensely strategic. “The sport emphasizes reflexes, touch and teamwork as much as power.  Its inclusive nature has allowed schools, clubs and communities to quickly adopt the sport, accelerating its nationwide footprint,” he explained.

Also featured during the festival are adult competitions across all skill levels, underscoring pickleball’s inclusive appeal. Categories include:Newbie (2.0–2.99); Low Intermediate (3.0–3.49); High Intermediate (3.5–3.99) and Open Division

Events are held in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles across 20+, 35+, and 50+ age brackets.  Registration fees are set at P12,000 for the U19 Rising Stars category and P3,000 for adult divisions.

For registration and details, visit: https://picklefest.kosmas.com.ph/ Participants may also follow the Pickle Fest 2026 Facebook page and PCL Asia channels for update. (Photos: MBCNewman)

 

 

IFBA Singapore sees Cebu’s launchpad for local chocolate in the culinary world map

CEBU CITY—The International Food and Beverage Association (IFBA)-Singapore sees Cebu’s potential to become a global hospitality hub, leveraging unique culinary experiences with the local chocolate, called ‘Sikwate” to attract international partners and elevate Cebu’s position on the world map.

In a press conference on March 9, at the Casa de Cacao-The Chocolate Chamber (TCC), Casals Village in Mabolo, Cebu City, IFBA-Singapore president Cheong Hai Poh and Derrick Lee, Honorary President of the International Bartender Association (IBA) suggested a multi-polar system of alliances with all the cacao and chocolate entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Cebu.

Hai Poh asked about the significance of the Chocolate Chamber, especially in the context of other chambers like the Mandawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to connect global hospitality professionals and foster innovation.

“Cebu has all the necessary ingredients to support this initiative, with a growing industry sector and unique culinary creations, The Chocolate Chamber can be seen as a way to bridge global culinary culture and support Cebu's growing cacao and chocolate industry,” Hai Poh said.

He emphasized the mission of TCC to connect global hospitality professionals and build meaningful partnerships and highlighted Cebu as a city with a thriving culinary scene, with outlets that attract long queues for unique products, like the local “Sikwate” or chocolate.

Raquel Choa of The Chocolate Chamber shared that TCC aims to position Cebu on the world map by promoting its culinary culture and industry, focusing on the entire concept of passion on the local cacao by-products, especially the local “Sikwate” and how it can be used to elevate Cebu's position globally.

Strategic growth and trust in Asia-Pacific

Hai Poh talked about the long-term courtship of business in general, emphasizing the growth potential in Asia Pacific, particularly in Singapore which is highlighted as a stable and trustworthy market, making it a promising destination for brand expansion.

 

He advised TCC to establish its presence in Singapore first, leveraging the country's reputation for trustworthiness and mentioned the importance of Derrick Lee, the Honorary President of the International Bartender Association (IBA) in managing finance and supporting the IFBA, that could also be the key player in promoting TCC’s local chocolate as a unique beverage in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both IFBA and IBA suggested TCC and the “chocolate alliance” to establish and outline the strategic plan to create a Chocolate Academy in Singapore, which will bring a new perspective to the chocolate industry.

“The establishment of a chocolate chamber cafe in Singapore is expected to set a positive tone for the rest of ASEAN countries.  The International Bartender Association (IBA) is prepared to help identify potential investors or franchisees to expand the Chocolate Chamber,” Lee said.

Lee emphasized that TCC is not just a business union but a representation of the cacao/chocolate industry, which is crucial for global outreach.  He mentioned the need for businesses to adapt to new trends and strategies, such as sourcing cacao from civil countries for reprocessing.

The discussion underscored the importance of strategic supply chain planning to ensure business continuity and cost-effectiveness, Hai Poh reiterated the need for alliances to be set up in Cebu, with Raquel Choa and other individuals as potential initiators.  The importance of forming a strong alliance with relevant authorities to drive the food culture industry forward is very crucial, Hai Poh said.

“I use the analogy of chopsticks to illustrate the strength of unity, emphasizing that a bundle of chopsticks is stronger than a single one.  There is great need for collaboration to create a cohesive and impactful movement in the food culture industry, special mention on establishing chocolate café franchises as another unique beverage hub, similar to coffee, bubble tea, others,” Hai Poh concluded.

 

 

 

Accor, Cebu Yacht Club ink agreement for ibis Styles Hotel devt in Mactan

LAPULAPU CITY -- Cebu Yacht Club Development Corporation and global hospitality group Accor inked a hotel management agreement for Accor to operate the future ibis Styles hotel brand as part of the site’s wider redevelopment vision and a key milestone in the transformation of Mactan’s waterfront.

Both parties signed the agreement at ibis Styles Manila Araneta Center on 24 February 2026, and represents the first implemented component of the site’s broader redevelopment program, with the planned hotel featuring 150 rooms.  It will rise within a mixed-use building that also integrates office and commercial spaces, creating a vibrant hub for visitors and local enterprises alike.

Representing the project partners during the ceremony were Kash Salvador for Accor; Sherwin John Uy for Primeworld Land Holdings Inc., Engr. Joseph Pepito representing St. Joseph Optimum Ventures Inc. and Ramon Carlo Yap for Priland Development Corporation, for the Consortium.

Shared Vision for a Revitalized Waterfront

Project stakeholders expressed strong optimism about the partnership and its role in reshaping the property into a renewed destination.  Kash Salvador noted that the collaboration signals confidence in the market and in the long-term potential of the location.

“We are pleased to partner with Cebu Yacht Club Development Corporation in bringing ibis Styles to this landmark site. This project aligns with our strategy to expand in dynamic destinations while offering design-forward hospitality experiences that resonate with modern travelers,” Salvador shared.

Sherwin John Uy emphasized the consortium’s commitment to creating a development that blends local relevance with international standards.  “This hotel is an important first step in unlocking the full potential of the property. Our goal is to reintroduce the Cebu Yacht Club as a vibrant, accessible destination—one that serves both the community and visitors, while honoring its legacy.”

Ramon Carlo Yap highlighted the broader economic and urban impact of the initiative.  They see this as more than a hotel project. It is a catalyst for renewed business activity, new investments, and meaningful placemaking that will contribute to the continued growth of Mactan as a gateway for tourism and commerce, he added.

 “Through thoughtful design and engineering, we aim to transform the site into a modern, resilient development that supports marina life, hospitality, and commercial uses in a cohesive environment,” Engr. Joseph Pepito underscored the technical and planning approach behind the redevelopment.

The introduction of ibis Styles is envisioned to immediately activate the property by providing internationally branded accommodations at one of the most accessible gateways to Cebu. Located on Mactan Island, the site sits just minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, as well as key maritime entry points, positioning it as an ideal address for business travelers, yacht owners, and tourists seeking seamless connectivity, the developers shared.

Driving economic, tourism growth in Mactan

With proximity to major ports, commercial districts, medical institutions, and the island’s established resort corridor, the hotel is expected to serve as a convenient base for both corporate and leisure markets while reinforcing Mactan’s role as a critical link between Cebu’s economic and tourism ecosystems.

Cebu Yacht Club Development Corporation is a newly organized consortium established specifically to undertake the property’s redevelopment. The alliance combines the national-scale development experience of Primeworld Land Holdings Inc., the strong Cebu market presence of Priland Development Corporation, and the engineering and project execution expertise of St. Joseph Optimum Ventures Inc.

The mixed-use structure, including the ibis Styles hotel, is being designed by WT Architects, whose work will guide the site’s architectural character toward a contemporary waterfront expression that complements its marina setting while supporting modern hospitality and commercial functions.

Long recognized as a landmark for the sailing community, Cebu Yacht Club has served as a traditional marina and social hub but has faced aging infrastructure and underutilized spaces in recent years. The redevelopment seeks to unlock its full potential through modern design, upgraded facilities, and diversified uses that extend beyond marina functions.

The planned transformation will introduce hospitality, workplace environments, retail, dining, and public-oriented spaces—revitalizing the area into a destination that supports tourism growth while energizing local commerce.

By anchoring the redevelopment with an internationally recognized hotel brand, the project establishes an early catalyst for renewed activity in the area. The initiative is expected to stimulate investment, generate employment, and elevate the overall visitor experience, contributing to the continued evolution of Mactan as both a business and leisure destination. (Photos: Abby Caruana)

 

DSWD-7 continues to conduct rounds of reach-out activities in Metro Cebu

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7-Central Visayas continues to conduct rounds of reach-out activities across Metro Cebu to reach children, individuals, and families living in street situations through the Pag-abot Program.

With the establishment of the Pag-abot Processing Center (PCC), these reach-out operations have intensified, with support from partner stakeholders, including the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices and Anti-Mendicancy Offices of the highly urbanized cities.

DSWD-7 regional director, Shalaine Lucero said these street dwellers reached by DSWD are profiled and, with their consent, brought to the PCC where they are provided with appropriate care and interventions to prepare them for reintegration into their hometowns and communities.

The goal is to help them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society, Lucero said. The Pag-abot Program is one of DSWD’s flagship initiatives that aims to provide a better future for children, individuals, and families living on the streets through comprehensive social protection packages and interventions.

 

    PBBM inaugurated DSWD’s 3^rd Pag-Abot Processing Center in Liloan

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusive social protection, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. inaugurated the Pag-abot Processing Center (PPC) in Barangay Tayud, Liloan, Cebu, February 26 during his visit in Cebu of the same date.

This is the third PPC in Central Visayas that provides comprehensive social protection services for children, individuals, and families in street situations while awaiting reintegration.  “The facility will cater to the three major cities in Cebu—Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City to ensure the welfare of Families and Individuals in Street Situations (FISS),” DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian emphasized that the agency will link beneficiaries to long-term support programs, including economic assistance, livelihood opportunities, educational support, and other social protection services, to prevent FISS from returning to street situations.

Gatchalan shared that in Cebu, there are more than 600 homeless individuals have been recorded by the DSWD which is implementing the Pag-Abot Program to help families and individuals in street situations.  The program provides health services, food, clothing, psychosocial and livelihood support, temporary housing, and family reintegration to help beneficiaries move toward stable and dignified lives.

DSWD secretary Gatchalian briefed President Marcos as they toured the Pag-Abot Processing Center, visiting the clinic, processing area for beneficiary assessment, profiling, biometrics, and clothing distribution, storage, and laundry area, kitchen and dining hall, administrative office, senior citizens’ room, isolation room, and prayer and activity areas.

The Center is equipped with clinics, regular rooms, rooms with individual toilets and baths, a communal comfort room with five toilets and four showers, an administrative office, an activity area, a prayer room, a kitchen and dining area, a conference room, a profiling area, a baggage counter, a stockroom, and a laundry area with clotheslines.

The PPC facility can accommodate over 120 beneficiaries and it provides temporary shelter for about one month as part of a structured reintegration process aimed at restoring stability and creating opportunities.

The DSWD Field Office VII continues to conduct proactive reach-out operations for individuals and families in street situations across the Cities of Cebu, Bogo, Carcar, Danao, Naga, Talisay and Toledo — strengthening the government’s whole-of-nation approach to uplift lives and build safer, more inclusive communities. (Photos: DSWD7)

 

 

Cebu City, DOT to push for Muslim-Friendly, Halal tourism initiatives

CEBU CITY – Cebu City and the Department of Tourism (DOT) want to push for more Muslim-Friendly tourism programs in Cebu City, in a courtesy visit of DOT Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar and DOT-7 OIC Regional Director Gelena Asis-Dimpas at City Hall on March 4 with Mayor Nestor Archival welcoming the idea of a Muslim friendly Cebu City.

The discussion explored ways to encourage accommodation establishments to adopt Muslim-friendly standards and to promote more halal-certified restaurants across the city, Abubakar said this initiative seeks to ensure that Muslim travelers feel welcome in Cebu City.

“We want our Muslim tourists/travelers to feel very welcome here and that they have access to services and facilities that respect their cultural and religious practices, positioning Cebu City as a more inclusive and welcoming destination,” Abubakar added.

Mayor Archival on the other hand shared his plans to establish a Muslim Section at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), a proposal that USEC Abubakar fully support.  They also discussed the development of specialized tour packages tailored for Muslim tourists to further enhance visitor experience and accessibility.

“We welcomed USEC. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to discuss ways forward in advancing Muslim-friendly and Halal tourism initiatives in Cebu City. Our discussion also touched on strengthening programs that support the Muslim Filipino community, including identifying Muslim communities and mosques in the city, as well as exploring the possibility of establishing a Muslim section in hospitals to better address their cultural and religious needs,” Archival said in his Facebook post.

USEC Abubakar assured Mayor Archival that the DOT reaffirmed its support to these initiatives and assist the Cebu City Government in implementing programs and standards that will advance Muslim-Friendly Tourism in the city. (Photos: Cebu City PIO)

 

 

Connectbase, Converge expand connectivity ecosystem in Southeast Asia

CEBU CITY – Connectbase, the Operating System for Connected Commerce announced a strategic collaboration with Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (Converge) on March 3, expanding the Connectbase ecosystem in Southeast Asia and strengthening global access to one of the region’s fastest-growing digital markets.

Through the collaboration, Converge joins the Connectbase platform, making its fiber and subsea infrastructure digitally accessible to carriers and enterprises worldwide through automated, API-driven connectivity commerce.

The collaboration extends Connectbase’s global reach into the Philippines while opening Converge’s high-performance pure-fiber network to a broader international buyer community. Global carriers and enterprises can now instantly discover serviceability, pricing, and availability across millions of Philippine locations—replacing historically manual, email-driven sourcing processes with real-time automation.  

“As AI workloads, cloud regionalization, and cross-border enterprise operations accelerate across Southeast Asia, access to automated, location-precise connectivity has become critical infrastructure, not a procurement convenience. Converge has built a world-class fiber network, and Connectbase provides the digital transmission that makes it globally consumable, putting millions of Philippine locations instantly on the screens of the world’s largest network buyers,” said Ben Edmond, CEO of Connectbase.

Converge operates one of the youngest and most advanced end-to-end pure-fiber networks in the Philippines, spanning more than 896,000 kilometers, covering nearly 60% of the Philippine households. The company has also invested in major trans-Pacific subsea cable systems, directly connecting the Philippines to the United States, Singapore, and HongKong, strengthening regional and global connectivity resilience, said Dennis Anthony H. Uy, CEO and Co-Founder of Converge.

“This joint effort represents a major milestone in making the Philippines fully accessible to the global connectivity economy. By joining the Connectbase ecosystem, we are enabling carriers and enterprises worldwide to engage with our network in seconds rather than days, while supporting the continued growth of Southeast Asia’s digital economy, Uy said.

By onboarding to the Connectbase Seller Cloud, Converge transitions from manual quoting to automated responses, enabling rapid participation in global RFPs, greater visibility with international buyers, and reduced order fallout through precise, location-level serviceability data. Buyers gain access not only to high-quality fiber, but also to resilient, low-latency routes critical for cloud, enterprise, and BPO traffic.

“Buyers sourcing connectivity in the Philippines can now reduce sourcing cycles from weeks to minutes, while sellers gain immediate visibility into global demand without incremental sales overhead. This collaboration reinforces Connectbase’s role as the platform enabling global connectivity commerce, connecting buyers to trusted infrastructure in every major region,” Edmond added. (Photos: Google Images)

 

 

 

CCCI’s dual education, training program produces 14 seafood production workers

CEBU CITY – The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) recognized the successful completion of 14 seafood production workers under its Dual Education and Training (DET) program during CCCI’s General Members' Meeting (GMM) on February 27 at the Oakridge Pavilion in Mandaue City, to meet the growing demand for skilled labor in Cebu’s seafood production industry.

These 14 graduates have now earned certification as Certified Seafood Production Workers: a crucial step in addressing the skills gap within the region’s workforce. Through CCCI’s DET program, these graduates help to close the gap by ensuring that they not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop the practical experience that employers require, said CCCI president Jay Yuvallos.

This milestone marked the conclusion of the recently finished FISH Visayas Project Phase 2, which was implemented under CCCI’s Assessment, Certification, and Accreditation Services (ACAS). The graduates completed 240 hours of intensive classroom learning, followed by 912 hours of hands-on, in-company experience, Yuvallos shared.

Yuvallos bared that the DET Program and the graduates’ certification aligned with the workforce training with the demands of the seafood production sector. In today’s competitive job market, industries like seafood production are facing challenges in finding workers with the precise skills required to succeed.

CCCI recognizes its partner companies: Siargao Bounty Seafoods Corporation, Central Seafoods Inc., HJR International, and Phil Union Frozen Foods Inc.-for their invaluable role in shaping the future of Cebu’s seafood industry.  These companies have not only contributed to the program’s success but also demonstrated a commitment to strengthening the local workforce.

CCCI also thanked its partner academic institutions-- Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology and CITE Institute of Technology by providing top-quality education and training, ensuring that the program’s curriculum aligns with the needs of both the students and the industry.

“Through programs like DET, CCCI continues to champion workforce development and we remain committed to fostering collaboration between the academic sector and industries to provide sustainable solutions to skills mismatches in the labor market,” Yuvallos concluded. (Photos: CCCI)