Dumaguete's rise as the Pickleball Capital of the Philippines can be traced back to an unexpected discovery during a race in 2023. What started when a local technical official spotted doctors and nurses playing pickleball during downtime has grown into a citywide movement, with more than 300 courts now operating across Dumaguete.
Key Highlights
- Dumaguete now has more than 300 pickleball courts within the city, up dramatically from around 50 just a few years ago.
- The sport's growth began after Bernabe Bustillo discovered pickleball during the Ultra Marathon from Dumaguete to Guihulngan in 2023.
- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has pledged support for Dumaguete's continued pickleball development.
- Local leaders see pickleball as an accessible sport that can support community participation and an aging population.
From a Race-Day Discovery to a Pickleball Boom
The story began in 2023 when Bernabe Bustillo, who was working as a technical official at the Ultra Marathon from Dumaguete to Guihulngan, noticed doctors and nurses in Guihulngan playing pickleball during their free time. Intrigued by the sport, Bustillo brought the idea back to Dumaguete and presented it to the City Sports and Youth Development Office.
From there, what began as a grassroots idea quickly gained momentum across the city. Dumaguete now has more than 300 courts within its city limits, while thousands more can be found across Negros Oriental. That represents a huge increase from the roughly 50 public and private courts the city had only a few years ago.
Pickleball Turns Into a Local Business
The growth of pickleball in Dumaguete has also created opportunities for private court operators. What started as simple neighbourhood spaces where residents could play for free has, in some cases, developed into commercial venues.
Private court owners such as Marvin Kho have seen modest backyard setups grow into proper pickleball facilities, reflecting how quickly demand for the sport has expanded throughout the city.
PSC Backs Dumaguete's Pickleball Development
Dumaguete's rapid growth has attracted attention beyond Negros Oriental, with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) now pledging its support for the city's sporting development. PSC chair John Patrick Gregorio described Dumaguete's progress as an example that other local governments could potentially follow.
Speaking during the “Handog ng Pangulo” service caravan in Dumaguete, Gregorio said the goal was to create pathways from grassroots participation to elite sporting success. He also stressed that support for pickleball would not come at the expense of other sports, with the PSC continuing to back facilities and development in disciplines including football, athletics and archery.
Why Pickleball Works for Dumaguete
The city's pickleball push has also received strong backing from Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria, Dumaguete Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria and Congresswoman Maisa Sagarbarria. Rather than focusing solely on pickleball, local leaders have positioned Dumaguete's development as part of a broader approach to community sports.
Mayor Sagarbarria highlighted the city's aging population as one reason pickleball has gained such a strong following. Its accessible format gives residents of different ages an opportunity to stay active while also creating a social space within the community.
Dumaguete's Pickleball Future
From a chance observation during a marathon to more than 300 courts, Dumaguete's pickleball story shows how quickly a grassroots sporting movement can grow when it gains support from local communities and government.
With the PSC now backing the city's development and local leaders continuing to promote sports participation, Dumaguete's pickleball boom could become part of a wider model for community-based sports development across the Philippines.
