Sports

PPF Successfully Hosts the First-Ever Philippine Pickleball National Championship 2025 with Skechers Philippines

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In the Philippines, pickleball is more than simply a game. It is a celebration of community, movement, and strategy. The Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF) and its partner Skechers Philippines, a world leader in comfort and performance footwear, are at the center of the action as the sport continues to attract players of all ages and skill levels, fostering the nation’s growing pickleball fervor.

At the historic, first-ever Philippine Pickleball National Championship 2025, which took place at Dink and Shot in Marikina from May 30 to June 1, the excitement reached new heights. Skechers gladly supported its athletes, such as SJ Lim and Leander Lazaro, who competed while wearing their high-performance, agility-, stability-, and unbelievably comfortable Skechers Pickleball shoes.

Leander Lazaro and SJ Lim

The championship featured Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles divisions, spanning age groups from 19 to 55 and above, bringing in a mix of seasoned athletes and up-and-coming talents from across the country, all playing with passion, grit, and true sportsmanship.

Adding to the celebration, the tournament’s gold medalists from each division took home their well-deserved prizes, a pair of Skechers Pickleball shoes. Additionally, it is from the elite group of gold medalists where the Philippine Pickleball Federation will select the official athletes for inclusion in the national pool of pickleball athletes. The winners received their Skechers pairs in a special ceremony, marking another milestone in our partnership’s unwavering commitment to the sport.

Awarding

“Here in the Philippines, Skechers is beyond excited and optimistic about how the Pickleball community will grow. After being part of a monumental first for the Pickleball community with the recently concluded National Championship, we’re ready to support athletes and individuals who aspire to join the Pickleball community,” shares Suzette Pasustento, Country Manager of Skechers Philippines.

Suzette Pasustento

As pickleball gains even more momentum in the Philippines, PPF and Skechers stand ready to support every serve, volley, and victory. With footwear built for performance and comfort, Skechers ensures players at every level can step onto the court with confidence.

Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0

The game is expanding. The neighborhood is flourishing. Additionally, PPF and Skechers will be there at all times.

By following Skechers Philippines on Instagram and Facebook, pickleball players and fans may receive the most recent information about Skechers Pickleball product launches and more.

The Next Generation Elite Style Worn by Harry Kane Features Signature Skechers Innovations to Promote the Comfort of a Good First Touch

Harry Kane debuts the all-new Skechers SKX_2 Elite boot—engineered for control, comfort, and the perfect touch

Skechers Football is back on the field with the Skechers SKX_2, the next iteration of their iconic boot. The boot’s advanced design aids players in gaining control of the ball and the game. Harry Kane of Bayern Munich gave fans a sneak peek at the SKX_2 when he donned the white and turquoise boot on the main stage at the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals in the United States. Part of the new Skechers Football CTRL^ pack, which honors the ease of a good first touch, the SKX_2 is available in the Philippines.

“It’s the best feeling when you get that touch where everything comes together perfectly and you’re just in the zone with total control focused on the goal—and Skechers gets me there,” said Harry Kane. “The SKX_01 is a brilliant first boot for Skechers. With the SKX_2, you can feel the evolution—it’s quicker, sharper, and even better tuned for my game.”

“As we enter our third season in football, we continue to innovate, evolve and improve our offering so Harry Kane and all athletes can perform at their best,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “From the elite pros to the young academy players, we’ve listened to their feedback when designing the SKX_2; it carries over what they love about the original with incremental precision-engineered advancements to deliver comfort that performs when you need it most.”

The new SKX_2 Elite boots from the Skechers Football CTRL^ pack.

Skechers Football offers a complete range of styles with options for every type of player and surface including the new white and turquoise CTRL^ pack.

The new SKX_2 Elite is designed for players who require precise strike control with a custom last meticulously crafted to optimize comfort and deliver a perfect fit for enhancing touch on the pitch. It features a resilient Hyper Burst Pro® sockliner, lightweight Skechers Fitknit upper, and a multi-directional outsole for incredible traction over multiple surfaces.

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In addition to the Elite version worn by professional footballers around the globe, Skechers also offers the SKX_2 in Youth and Kids boots for the next generation of players who want to emulate their favourite stars, featuring an adaptable fit and enhanced comfort in every pair. Both ranges are available in multi-ground and turf styles.

The global launch campaign for the SKX_2 and CTRL^ pack will feature Harry Kane and a roster of Skechers pros including winger Barış Alper Yılmaz from the Turkey National Team, West Ham United and Ghana National Team winger Mohammed Kudus, Real Betis and Spanish National Team midfielder Isco Alarcón, AS Roma and Italian National Team midfielder Niccolò Pisilli, AFC Bournemouth and Colombia National Team winger Luis Sinisterra, and Brighton & Hove Albion and Danish National Team midfielder Matt O’Riley.

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Skechers is also rolling out an interactive digital initiative across its @skechersfootball social media channels around the world: the Skechers Football Helpline. The concept is simple, yet lighthearted where players can share stories or videos about friends who have a less-than-perfect touch for a chance to win Skechers Football boots from the CTRL^ pack to help improve their control.

In addition to football, Skechers provides performance shoes for both professional and amateur players participating in basketball, golf, pickleball, padel, and jogging.

Some Skechers stores and Bootcamp stores in the Philippines carry the new Skechers SKX_2 boot as well as the entire Skechers Football collection. Additionally, the series can be found in international markets. By following Skechers Philippines on Instagram and Facebook, football fans may gain exclusive access to Skechers Football product launches and more.

Running community shows up rain or shine at Vermosa Green Run 2025

On Sunday, June 29, about 2,500 runners and 350 dogs participated in the fourth edition of the Green Run at Vermosa Estates in Imus, Cavite, despite some rain and lightning.

Beginning in 2022 at the 750-hectare Ayala Land site south of the metro, the multi-level run has attracted elite athletes, families, and casual runners to its different race categories, which include the 10K, 5K, and 3K intermediate distances, as well as the 21K half-marathon. In the verdant yet well-paved environs of Vermosa Estates, the popular 1K Dog Run allows pet owners to spend quality time with their furry companions.

The first Vermosa Green Run invited people to “go out, lace up, mask up and run for a greener tomorrow” in 2022, encouraging them to get active and re-discover the great outdoors after a three-year pandemic lockdown. It spearheaded the return to open air, face to face activities with the environment and sustainability-themed Run. True to its thrust, Vermosa Estates actively promotes physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

Takbo Kabitenyo athletes join the Green Run 2025

Conducted by sports and fitness event organizer Pinoy Fitness, the first Green Run advocated for a greener tomorrow and supported Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-A-Seedling Program. Green Run 2025 still supports the Haribon Foundation and has added animal welfare group Pawssion Project and Takbo Kabitenyo, a running group that develops young athletes for local and international competitions, as beneficiaries. During the registration period, participants and guests were encouraged to bring their used plastics so they can be repurposed and converted into building materials for sustainable pathways and benches.

Dogs participated in the Dog Run

Considered by running regulars as “the most scenic run”, Angel Montevirgen from Cavite and a member of Takbo Kabitenyo said the running community looks forward to this run yearly. “It’s a lifestyle that you immerse yourself in and becomes a part of you. You look forward to it and get the right motivation for it – whether that be new clothes, new gear, new shoes or seeing friends and getting fit. It’s an opportunity to enjoy not only the benefits of running, but also the group camaraderie and being part of the whole running community.”

Pinoy Fitness Inc. founder and president Jeff Lo was very pleasantly surprised by the huge turnout of runners and pet dogs despite the threat of rain. “Runners actually enjoy running in the rain. It’s cooler, mas masaya. And I’m confident about Vermosa (as a running venue) because even if it rains, the roads are well-paved, safe and walang lubak. It’s a very green, very clean, very scenic venue – quite different from other runs. It’s fun and refreshing to see a venue where runners can actually go all out and enjoy themselves while finishing their runs.”

“I think the vision of Vermosa is to be the greener place to run,” Lo surmised. “You don’t just run races here, by the way. Runners and fitness enthusiasts can come and run here anytime, day or night – for free. They can run, train or just enjoy the outdoors. The Green Run itself is like a culmination of all the running activities you do here – an event that you look forward to that lets you experience closed roads and competing with others, for fun or for competition.”

“Every step you take at the Vermosa Green Run supports a bigger cause. The Run advocates fitness and overall wellness, sustainability, and community support into one meaningful event,” said Chrissy Roa, head of the Marketing and Communications group at Ayala Land Estates.

Running community shows up rain or shine at Vermosa Green Run 2025

Ayala Land’s long-term sustainability mission is reinforced by the Vermosa Green Run, which has become a standard for purpose-driven lifestyle events and uses fitness as a potent catalyst for social and environmental change.

Vermosa Estates turns over free race kits to the young athletes of Takbo Kabitenyo 

The 750-hectare Vermosa Estate in Imus, Cavite, will host the fourth edition of the Vermosa Green Run on Sunday, June 29. The 21K division will start the race at 4:30 a.m.

The 5K and 3K races, which begin at 5:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., respectively, are closely followed by the 10K race. and the 7 a.m. 1K Dog Run. In collaboration with Pinoy Fitness, AyalaLand Estates and Vermosa are hosting the event.

The Green Run has had an influence on the communities it advocates for four years since its first run in July 2022.

Four years since its inaugural run in July 2022, the Green Run has made its impact felt in the areas of its advocacies.

Starting off with a focused support of the environment and an advocacy for an active lifestyle in the wake of the pandemic that year, the Green Run chose the Haribon Foundation as its first beneficiary and spearheaded a high-energy return to foot races after a two-year hiatus.

Since then, the multi-level run has been staged yearly, attracting serious, leisure, aspiring and elite runners to the great outdoors of Vermosa Estate. It continues to push for an active lifestyle, the environment and sustainability, and now also champions youth sports and animal welfare. Vermosa Green Run participants have grown steadily each year, with 1,200 runners breaking out in 2022 to nearly 3000 signing up in 2025.

This year, the Green Run is inviting both runners and guests to be actively involved in sustainability by bringing their used plastics to the Run. The plastics will be recycled and converted by Ayala Land Estates, Inc. and the Makati Development Corporation (MDC) into sustainable construction materials like fillers for concrete and asphalt and other concrete aggregates that will build “green” sidewalks and fences in support of Ayala Land’s green development initiatives. Participants that donate will get a discounted rate on their Green Run registration.

The Haribon Foundation continues to be a Green Run beneficiary on its fourth year as Vermosa Estate and Ayala Land sustain the planting and adoption of seedlings and saplings that continue to grow at the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve in Barangay San Andres, Tanay Rizal.

For the third straight year, the Green Run pushes hard for the Pawssion Project, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes stray animals. The Green Run continues to create greater awareness about animal welfare as it continues to support dogs in the organization that has to date already made over 2,000 rescues, 1,000 re-homed and provided 600 shelters for homeless dogs and cats.

Its support of young athletes from Takbo Kabitenyo, a non-profit organization for young runners from Cavite, also shows progressive results.

“Some of our young runners have consistently landed podium finishes at school-level, city, and provincial competitions. These achievements are a reflection not only of their talent but also of the discipline and dedication they’ve cultivated through training, and we thank Vermosa for allowing us to use their excellent sports facilities that provide our athletes with the competitive edge,” said Takbo Kabitenyo president Noel Diaz.

Diaz highlights the noteworthy tales of John Mark Balogo, who might earn a spot on the National Track and Field Team after finishing second in the 5000m final event during the same NCAA season, and Vince John Marzo, a college student who competed with the relay team that took home the bronze in the 4x400m event at the 2025 NCAA Season 100 Track and Field Competition

“While most of our success stories are still at the local and regional levels, we’re laying the groundwork for future participation in national and international competitions. We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to help these young talents shine on bigger stages through their training in the best possible environment,” Diaz said.

Supporting grassroots, tournaments, and champions

The Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF) is excited to unveil its partnership with Skechers, the world-renowned comfort technology brand, as the official footwear sponsor for 2025. This significant collaboration supports PPF’s ongoing mission to expand the reach of pickleball across the nation — from community-based initiatives to elite-level play — by teaming up with Skechers Philippines, a brand known for promoting performance, inclusivity, and active lifestyles for everyone.

“We at PPF have always put a high value in the sport of pickleball by making it accessible, healthily competitive, and fueled by the community’s passion,” says Mike Johnson, PPF Founder. “As we partner with Skechers, we are optimistic that pickleball players both seasoned and new are up for a whole new level of experience with footwear that supports athletic performance and comfort on the court.”

Kicking off this exciting partnership is the highly anticipated 1st Philippine Pickleball National Championship 2025, co-presented by Skechers Pickleball, taking place from May 30 to June 1 at Dink & Shot in Marikina City. Open to participants nationwide, the tournament will highlight the rising talent and enthusiasm for pickleball across the Philippines. Players can now register at: www.pickleball.ph/2025-ppf-championship.html

Skechers, known for its cutting-edge performance footwear — including its specialized Skechers Pickleball shoes — proudly joins the Federation in supporting athletes of all skill levels, from newcomers to experienced pros. This July, Skechers will further enhance its presence in the sport with the launch of the Skechers Viper Court Rally™ in the Philippines, offering players a blend of comfort and performance with a breathable mesh and leather upper and lightweight Move Foam™ insole.

For elite level performance, the updated Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0 features new colorways, a redesigned upper with innovative mesh technology for increased durability, advanced support with its Arch Fit® EVA insole, and responsive ULTRA GO® Foam midsole.

Both shoe styles include Goodyear® Gold compound outsoles for controlled slides on the pickleball court. These innovative products showcase Skechers’ continued dedication to pickleball. Tried and tested by pros, with award-winning styles, and the official footwear of major leagues worldwide, Skechers has been a trusted name in the sport. That’s why we are very much excited about our new partnership. We aim to elevate the sport further and bring pickleball to more communities nationwide.

To learn more about our partner, Skechers Pickleball, you may visit their website. You may also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information and updates about PPF and our upcoming events, visit our website at www.pickleball.ph.

Join us in celebrating this exciting partnership and the growth of pickleball in the Philippines!

Green Run 2025

Returning for its fourth year this June, the Vermosa Green Run continues its mission to promote health and wellness, environmental care, youth athletic development, and animal welfare.

Dubbed Vermosa Green Run 2025: A Force of Four in Year 4, the event kicks off on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Vermosa Estate in Imus, Cavite. This year, Ayala Land’s premier multi-category race introduces a Plastic Donation and Collection Drive, complementing its 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K running events.

All participants are encouraged to bring used plastics that will be recycled and repurposed by Ayala Land Estates Inc. and Makati Development Corporation (MDC). The plastic waste will be transformed into sustainable construction materials, concrete aggregates and other tools to build sidewalks and fences that will contribute to Ayala Land’s green development initiatives. Those who donate get a discounted rate on their Green Run registration.

Coming back for the third time is the popular 1K Dog Run that promotes Ayala Land’s advocacy for animal welfare. This special feature of the Green Run was introduced in 2023 to provide people a fun and meaningful way to engage in physical activity while bonding with their furry companions and to raise awareness on animal welfare.

Takbo Kabitenyo, one of the Green Run 2025 beneficiaries

The young athletes of Takbo Kabitenyo, a 200-member-strong group that runs for health reasons and competes in marathons around the country, will join the Green Run. The young runners from this group receive training, mentorship and the use of Vermosa’s sports facilities as part of Ayala Land’s championing of young athletes.

Dogs and Fur Parents join the 1K Dog Run at Green Run 2024

Event proceeds will benefit key advocacy partners, including Pawssion Project, which champions animal welfare, Haribon Foundation, a leader in reforestation efforts, and Takbo Kabitenyo, a local program supporting young athletes through training and mentorship opportunities.

“Each step you take at the Vermosa Green Run supports a bigger cause; combining fitness, sustainability, and community support into one meaningful event,” said Chrissy Roa, Ayala Land Estates’ Marketing and Communications group head.

Thousands of runners participated in Green Run 2024

Now an established benchmark for purpose-driven lifestyle events, the Vermosa Green Run continues to reinforce Ayala Land’s long-term vision for sustainability—demonstrating how fitness can be a powerful catalyst for both environmental and social impact.

To register or learn more about the Vermosa Green Run 2025, visit https://ayalaland.myruntime.com.

The Exclusive Skechers SKX_1.5 Design Celebrates Kane’s Career and Golden Boot-Winning Mentality

England men’s soccer captain and Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane MBE, with the Harry Kane Player Edition SKX_1.5 Elite boot from Skechers Football.

Skechers pays tribute to one of today’s top football strikers with the launch of Harry Kane’s first Player Edition boot. The SKX_1.5 signature model comes after an outstanding year in which Kane secured the 2024 European Golden Boot as the continent’s leading scorer and became the first English player to net 10 goals in a single Champions League season. The Bayern Munich forward first wore the boots on April 4th during a match against FC Augsburg.

“It’s been my dream since childhood to have my own signature boot,” said Harry Kane. “I worked with the team at Skechers to make it personal, to make it a piece of my story. Every detail reflects what motivates me as a player—always wanting to improve and working hard to gain those plusses, those small percentages every day. I’m excited to share these boots. I hope people love them, feel confident when wearing them and appreciate the features that make these boots truly mine. Skechers Football has really delivered on comfort, too.”

“Harry Kane was the first elite player to wear Skecher Football boots and helped launch our football business, so it was always clear that our first Player Editiondesign would feature his signature,” added Greg Smith, VP of Product Development and Merchandising for Skechers Performance. “More than just a celebration of Harry’s athleticism and performance on the pitch, we’re recognizing his ability to inspire the next generation of athletes around the globe. Anyone at any age can lace up in this boot and work hard to make their dreams a reality all with the amazing comfort that only Skechers offers.”

Featuring Harry Kane’s signature, the red and white color scheme pays tribute to his current teams—England and Bayern Munich—while gold accents highlight his Golden Boot-winning spirit. The plus symbols across the upper represent the extra effort Harry puts in daily to elevate his game, with 36 gold plus signs symbolizing the 36 goals he scored in his debut season with Bayern Munich to claim the Bundesliga Top Scorer award.

Having worn various colorways of the Skechers SKX_1.5 Elite since joining the brand, it was a natural progression to create his first signature boot. The Harry Kane Player Edition is available in Academy and Youth versions of the SKX_1.5 in the Philippines, allowing players of all ages to channel their football hero. Engineered for powerful strikes, the boot features a custom last designed for optimal comfort and a precise fit to enhance ball control on the field.

Skechers Academy x Harry Kane Signature SKX1.5 FG & TF

The Skechers Football collection, including the Harry Kane Player Edition, is available at Bootcamp stores and select Skechers stores. Football fans can get behind-the-scenes access to Skechers Football product launches and more by following Skechers Philippines on Instagram and Facebook.