Sports Turismo Alliance Supports It   Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc (STA) applause the formation of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) as approved by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr through Administrative Order No 38 signed on October 29, 2025. Under the NST-IAC, the committee, headed by Patrick Gregorio, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, has been tasked to manage and oversee the development, promotion, and implementation of sports tourism initiatives. “We welcome the formation of the NST-IAC and many of our partners in the  Alliance, are elated with this development,” exclaimed Charles Lim, President and CEO of STA. “We have been looking forward to this day for a very long time.” He further explained that many countries, prominent in sports and popular tourist destinations prosper with both sectors under one administration. ” Look at Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea. How successful they have been in boosting tourism through sports. They are all under one Ministry of Sports and Tourism. Some of them embrace the Culture portfolio as well.” “From the point of view of event organizers and sports associations bidding for major events, I would likened this to doing business in a one-stop shop,” said Lim. Gregorio heads this newly created inter-agency group as chairman with Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT) as vice-chairman. and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone (TIEZA) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as members. Lim first conceptualized an educational planning workshop series, Sports Tourism Forum (STF) in 2004, under his public relations company, Selrahco. STF has since held no less than twenty fora for local governments and eight DOT regional offices across the country in sports event management, sports marketing, bidding and budgeting, and in measuring the economic and socio impact and the boost to certain sport development and popularity in the host cities. The next STF is scheduled in Clark Freeport, Pampanga on November 7, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, presented by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Clark International Aviation Corporation, Department of Tourism and Clark Development Corporation. STA sees itself playing a vital role in sports tourism, deeply rooted in the private sector. Lim, who is also founder and chairman of the annual Philippine Sports Tourism Awards now in its seventh year, claims that the sports tourism sector has made big strides in the last decade with several international tournaments such as the FIBA World Cup in 2023, the recently concluded FIVB World Championship and the forthcoming FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup and the Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Manila are good testament During a meeting in Malacañang recently with the President, the Private Sector Advisory Council – Tourism Sector Group (PSAC-TSC) headed by Lance Gokongwei of the JG Group, also recommended adopting a marketing strategy focused on sports. Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc gained membership into the London based International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH) in 2022, being the sole representative from the Philippines ever since. IAEH has over 50 members worldwid            

By Pigeon Lobien   LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Saint Louis University got its rhythm early, take a 32-point advantage at halftime and cruised to a victory 95-55 win over the Philippine Military Academy at the Cordillera Career Development College gym here Sunday in the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League basketball competitions. The third victory of a powerhouse squad but always the bridesmaid Navigators came before the long vacation and a return to the court with a tough five game played on seven days grind that will be, certainly, telling for the team. “And three of the teams are the league’s toughest,” said coach Raymond Austria. SLU started with back to back baskets but PMA answered with a trey to cut the lead to only one. That was where SLU started its running attack and tight defense to deny PMA the basket and even possession. Angelo Cacho caught fire then as he matched PMA’s snipers as he scored all his 24 from long range, although he went two of six in the last canto. “So far maganda defense, focus talaga sa defense. Kailangan lang talaga communication,” summed the former SLU forward, and the youngest of brothers who played for the Big Three – SLU, University of Baguio and University of the Cordilleras. Cacho gave SLU its biggest lead of 45, 95-50 with 2:11 remaining. Sean Ace Salom and Salvador Aquino added 12 and 10 points for the Navigators which will return to court on November 15 against perennial rival UB which it denied a finals slot in 2008 despite the presence of Philippine Basketball Association bound Kenneth Ighalo. The Navigators lost to the Harold Sabado led Cordillera Career Development College, for the latter’s second straight title, while SLU lost despite the number one seed in the finals. It was also 10 years after the heart breaking last four seconds heave of Adidas World Streetball representative Ramonchito Esitgoy from midcourt erasing a two-point SLU lead and win game three by a mere point. The oldest of the Austria brothers was with that UB team. Meanwhile, annual contender Baguio College of Technology escaped host Baguio Central University 85-84 to follow up its Saturday win over PMA and even up its slate at 2-2. Fresh from firing supposed coach Gerry Estranero, who led CCDC to its second title in 2008, BCT was routed by UB last October 23 but bounced back with the PMA win last Saturday at the University of the Philippines gym. It took the Atoms nearly 20 minutes after trailing 15-16 in the first canto, but veteran Fruto Luzadas III conjured his own magic as he combined with sweet shooting Adrian Cauton in the first half, then John Reyes later in the game as they cruise to an 87-33 rout of the cadets. Luzadas had 13 points, while Reyes chipped in 11. Cauton, who had a team high 16 points in the losing effort to UB, added nine markers. Cauton was simply unstoppable against the Eagles last Sunday as he poured in 26 points, but it was Luzadas and Julius Tapac who made the miracle in the later part of the game as they scored six each as they weathered an eight-point halftime deficit into win number two. Cauton topscored for BCT with 26 points, Luzadas had 26, while Tapac added 12 points. Two-time defending champion CCDC had a game high 30 points from John Urbe, who led four Admirals in double digits as they routed UPB 137-48 last Saturday. Bienvenido Villedo and Aaron Nang-is chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Airjay Contadi and Reize Tadeja added 12 and 11 markers, respectively, as the Admirals improved to 2-0. Meanwhile, the Lady Admirals sunk the Lady Navigators, 74-56, in what could be the biggest upset this year yet. Laure Bangit and Rushelle Holman each scored 14 points to lead the Lady Admirals to the first ever win over the many time champion. Rae Caba and Maybellene Mendoza led SLU with 15 and 12 markers each. Bangit had 17 points, while Krienne Buyagan and Angel Serbito added 10 each as CCDC crushed PMA, 62-33 last Saturday. However, CCDC suffered its defeat in the battle of the Cordilleras when the Lady Admirals bombed against the University of the Cordilleras, 106-79, last October 23 at home. Silcia Fuscalbo had a game high 34 points, Janelle Jandoc had 29, while Kayla Navato added 18 and 13 markers, respectively for the Lady Jaguars which seek to reclaim the crown against bitter rival UB. Serbito, Bangit and Buyagan scored 21, 18 and 12 pioints, in that order, in the losing effort as Holman was limited to nine markers.        

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – The city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong is sending a 470-strong delegation of athletes and coaches to the Batang Pinoy 2025 competitions in General Santos City seeking to wrestle first place from its rival, the City of Pasig team, last year’s champions. Paul Rillorta, Sports Administration Officer III, said Team Baguio is very determined in their training and preparations to win this year’s overall championship crown. He said that their venue and accommodations are properly accounted for, sending staff ahead of time in order to ensure that special uniforms and daily allowances were also provided in support of the athletes participating in Mindanao. Baguio  has had a firm history of producing strong young athletes, Rillorta said, adding that in the previous decade, the Summer Capital has always proven itself a consistent contender and champion of the annual sports competition. The city’s most recent string of victories was the four-peat championship dominance from 2018 to 2023 with the 2020 and 2021 Batang Pinoy competitions being cancelled due to the pandemic. “Sa tingin namin lalaban ‘yang mga atleta natin– lalaban ‘yan. Kasi, kinuha naman natin, talagang (the) best of the best. Hopefully, makuha natin ‘yung crown uli. Pero, ‘yung importante naman d’yan is, lumaban sila, nag-enjoy sila.” Rillorta said. Rillorta pointed out that Baguio has always been especially dominant when it came to combative sports like Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Boxing, and is optimistic that they will also do very well in the other sporting events of the prestigious annual competition. The games  began October 24 while the official opening took place on October 25 and will end on October 30, highlighting a whole week of sportsmanship and competitive spirit, he said. – Kemm Olarte/SLU PIO Intern/gabykeith  

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — More than 400 young athletes from Baguio City are set to compete in the Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships in General Santos City. The tournament will run from October 24 to 31, 2025, with the official opening ceremony scheduled on Friday, October 25, 2025. Together with their coaches, the approximately 470-strong delegation is brimming with determination as they seek to wrest first place from last year’s champion and rival, the City of Pasig. In preparation for the competition, Paul Rillorta, Sports Administration Officer III, recounts that he has witnessed focus and determination within both players and coaches leading up to Batang Pinoy 2025. He also cites making sure that the venue and accommodations are properly accounted for, sending staff ahead of time in order to ensure comfortability as special uniforms and daily allowances were also provided in support of the athletes participating in Mindanao. Baguio City has had a firm history of producing strong young athletes, as Rillorta recounts. In the last decade, Baguio city has always proven itself a consistent contender and champion of the annual sports competition, reeling in the championship several times. The most recent string of victories being the four-peat dominance of Baguio, starting from 2018 to 2023 (2020 and 2021 Batang Pinoy having been cancelled due to the pandemic), the city now seeks to retake its crown– losing its dominant streak last year to another frequent contender, Pasig City. “Sa tingin namin lalaban ‘yang mga atleta natin. Kasi, kinuha naman natin, talagang ang mga thebest of the best. Hopefully, makuha natin ‘yung crown uli. Pero, ang importante naman is, lumaban sila, nag-enjoy sila.” Rillorta said. Rillorta pointed out that Baguio has always been dominant, especially in combative sports like Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Boxing, but Baguio City Sports is optimistic that delegates from the city of Pines are well-trained and accounted for in all sports categories this year. Despite this, however, he also mentioned that in recent years, Baguio has not been as dominant in distance-based sports such as athletics and swimming, careful to mention that these kinds of sports are those that they intend to focus on more. He refers to the fact that said sports categories are “multi-medal,” meaning one athlete could garner even up to seven medals, thus increasing the overall competitiveness of Baguio as a delegation. As Batang Pinoy 2025 begins, Baguio’s young athletes are ready to show their hard work and determination on the national stage. With the strong support of their families, coaches and officials, the team is focused on bringing back the championship and making the city proud. Win or lose, Baguio aims to give its best and inspire other young athletes to stay passionate and keep the spirit of sports alive. – Kemm Olarte (SLU PIO Intern)    

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – The province celebrates another win as the Pangasinan Futsal Team emerges as the Overall Champion in the recent International Futsal Championship 2025 held in Bali, Indonesia. The Pangasinan Football Association (PFA) led by Governor Ramon V. Guico III, has been instrumental in promoting futsal in the province. PFA has actively organized various tournaments to include the Festival of Futsal which was participated in by top teams and players from the region. This event has helped develop young homegrown talent further promoting the sport throughout the region. Expressing appreciation to the Pangasinan Futsal Team, the governor commended their hard work and dedication. “ Your victory brings honor to the province and the entire nation,” he said. Some of the initiatives undertaken by the province include key developments such as Futsal Coaching Courses, a joint undertaking of the Pangasinan Provincial Government and the PFA in cooperation with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Gymnasium in 2023. Previously, Pangasinan team won the U15 Futsal Boys National Champioship in the Batang Pinoy 2024 which proves the province’s strength and dominance in the sport. As earlier disclosed by Mr. Leo Arnaiz, Consultant-PCDTO, OIC-NRSCC, , character formation in sports is an important factor, even as he added that coaches play pivotal role in developing the character of the players. “A good coach can change a game, an excellent coach can change a life,” he said. Highly supportive of Governor Guico’s sports thrust, Arnaiz believes Pangasinan has potential futsal players who can be honed to become world champions in the future. The Pangasinan Futsal Team composition is as follows: Head Coach: Mr. Leopoldo C. Arnaiz; Coach: Victoriano P. Jugo; Assistant Coach: Cristopher Shaun A. Sison; Manager/Physical Consultant: Roderick T. De Guzman; Players: 1) Jerimie Gian Esteves Acosta; 2) Roderick Gamboa Bautista; 3) Cris Lawrence Doquenia Gonzales; 4) Jester Andrei Ragacho Lagmay; 5) John Christopher Necerio Oduca; 6) Alexander Xiane Hizon Osana; 7) Gabriel Naboa Rivera;  Al Rhaji Espiritu Roldan; 9) John Delmar Abamid Sagun; 10) Jerick Bebis Salting; 11) Michael Hermogeno Santos, Jr.; 12) Jiorence Gamboa Veloria; 13) Mike Russel Cabalse Vetonio; 14) Carl Kenth Aviles Ventanilla. (Ruby F. Rayat-PIMRO)      

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito on Friday ,Oct. 10, personally handed initial cash assistance out of his own pocket and pledged additional support from provincial government funds to Alexander R. Tagure Jr., who has been named to the Philippine team for the 3rd Asian Youth Games, set for October 22 to 31 in Manama, Bahrain—becoming the first-ever athlete from Nueva Vizcaya to compete at the Asian Youth Games. “Alexander will not walk alone to Manama. Nueva Vizcaya stands behind him with concrete support for his preparation and competition so he can fight with heart for the Philippine team and make our province proud,” Governor Gambito said. Tagure was accompanied to the governor’s office by his uncle and coach, Erwin Tagure, and his mother, Virginia Ramos Tagure. The 17-year-old native of Brgy. Gabut, Dupax del Sur,is the sixth of nine siblings and a member of the Ibaloi‑Kalanguya indigenous community. A decorated martial arts athlete, Tagure has earned the following honors: 2023 Palarong Pambansa Gold Medalist 2024 Batang Pinoy Gold Medalist – Wushu Sanda 3x Muay Thai Nationals Gold Medalist 2023 Most Promising Muay Thai Athlete 3x Luzon Leg Muay Thai Gold Medalist 2024 Kickboxing National Championships Gold Medalist 2024 Best Junior Kickboxer 2024 40th Team Lakay Grapplers Cup – Best Submission 2025 42nd Team Lakay Grapplers Cup Gold Medalist 2025 Northern International Jiu-Jitsu Championships Double Gold Medalist With provincial support in place, Tagure heads back to training while Gov Gambito urges everyone to cheer him on.      

NAGA CITY, Philippines –Through to the initiative of Mayor Leni Robredo, the National Milo Marathon is making its long-awaited return to Naga City this Sunday, October 12, drawing over 10,000 runners for one of the country’s biggest and most prestigious footraces. Race organizer Francis Barja confirmed that the Naga leg—held last in the city in 2017—was included in this year’s lineup of qualifying races upon the request of Mayor Robredo. The marathon will kick off and conclude at Ninoy and Cory Avenue in Central Business District II and is one of 25 legs being held across the Philippines. Organized by RUNRIO, the event will feature 3-kilometer, 5-kilometer, 10-kilometer, and 21-kilometer runs. The 21K race will start first, with subsequent races taking off at 30-minute intervals. To ensure safety and smooth conduct, 400 volunteers from the Naga City Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, radio communication groups, Public Safety Office, medical teams from the city government, and members of the media will be deployed throughout the race route. Following the marathon, an awarding ceremony and an inter-school cheer dance competition will be held at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum. Participants and spectators are advised to observe safety protocols and traffic advisories throughout the event. I via Jason B. Neola

Mark your calendars for October 12, 2025 (Sunday) and be part of HOME RUN FOR EVERY JUAN happening at Baguio City Hall! This fun run is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of the 2025 National Housing Summit, with the support of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). Together, let’s take steps towards building sustainable housing and inclusive communities where every Filipino family has a place to call home. Choose your distance and challenge yourself: 3K – PHP 600 7K – PHP 800 16K – PHP 1,200 Gun Start Times: 16K – 4:15 AM 7K – 4:45 AM 3K – 5:00 AM All routes start and finish at Baguio City Hall, with a safe and scenic course designed to match your pace—whether you’re running for fun, fitness, or the fulfillment of supporting a meaningful cause. REGISTER NOW! https://bit.ly/4l7jP4T Let’s run together, not just for ourselves, but for every Juan. See you at the starting line!      

  Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines — American basketball pros Sam Vincent and Taj McWilliams-Franklin are visiting the Philippines to participate in a series of engagements that will showcase American excellence in basketball and empower young Filipino athletes and leaders as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Envoy Program. This initiative strengthens people-to-people ties between Filipinos and Americans through their shared love for sports, while inspiring the next generation of leaders. Vincent is an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in 1986 while McWilliams-Franklin is a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock in 2008 and the Minnesota Lynx in 2011.  Both players transitioned to coaching following their successful professional careers as players. During their visit, Vincent and McWilliams-Franklin will lead basketball clinics and leadership seminars in Alaminos City in Pangasinan, organized in partnership with the local government. The visiting U.S. Sports Envoys bring their professional and collegiate coaching experiences to train young athletes in basketball fundamentals while fostering the values of leadership, dedication, and teamwork that will help participants succeed in their professional lives. The visit underscores a love of basketball in the United States and the Philippines—one of many facets of the people-to-people ties that form the bedrock of the U.S.-Philippines bilateral relationship. “Basketball has long been a shared passion between Americans and Filipinos.  Through the U.S. Sports Envoys program in the Philippines, we celebrate that connection while also empowering young people with the leadership, dedication, and teamwork skills that sports uniquely provide,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Y. Robert Ewing. The U.S. Department of State’s Sports Envoy Program sends passionate, inspirational professional athletes to engage communities across the world.  The program promotes people-to-people ties and empowers the next generation of athletes as leaders through sport.  Since its launch in 2005, more than 300 envoys representing 24 different sports have traveled on behalf of the U.S. government to deliver impactful programs and strengthen bilateral relations.