Pickleball continues its rapid rise in the Philippines after being included for the first time in Mandaue City's annual employees' sports festival, which forms part of the city's 57th Charter Anniversary celebration this August.
Key Highlights of Mandaue's 57th Anniversary
- Pickleball's Grand Debut: The rapidly growing sport officially joins the Mandaue City employees' sports festival for the first time.
- Unity in Motion: A new "mixed cluster" competition format aims to foster cross-departmental unity among city employees.
- Massive Investment: The city earmarks an impressive ₱23 million for a month-long celebration packed with sports, culture, and community events.
- Mayor's Inaugural Address: Mayor Thadeo "Jonkie" Ouano is set to deliver his first State of the City Address, a key moment for the administration.
Pickleball Earns a Spot in Mandaue City's Charter Celebration
The fast-growing sport will now share the spotlight with established events such as basketball, volleyball, and badminton under this year's theme, "Mandaue at 57: Unity in Motion." Its inclusion reflects how far pickleball has come locally, evolving from a sport recently proposed for school and grassroots programs into one featured at one of the city's biggest annual celebrations.
The full lineup, unveiled during a media launch on Wednesday, extends far beyond the sporting arena. City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. explained that the "Unity in Motion" theme builds on Mayor Thadeo "Jonkie" Ouano's ongoing focus on community unity through initiatives like the Unity Run and Unity Cup.
New Competition Format Promotes Teamwork
This year's employees' sports festival will also introduce a revamped competition format. According to Mandaue Sports Commission officer-in-charge Mary Joy Tabal-Jimenez, participants will compete in mixed clusters instead of the traditional inter-department format. The change is designed to encourage employees from different city offices to interact and work together rather than competing solely within their own departments.
Packed Calendar of Sports and Cultural Events
The employees' games are only one part of an extensive celebration calendar. The city will also host the One-Stop Serbisyo Caravan, the 5.7-kilometre Unity Run, the Mandaue Charter Push Bike Race, and the Charter BXC Race.
Cultural events include the DepEd Dance Palabas, Liga Charter Beats 2026 battle of the bands, Employees' Talent Night, the Lantugi Cebuano freestyle rap and spoken word competition, and a food park showcasing international cuisine.
Meanwhile, Taxpayers' Night returns on 26 August to recognize the city's business community, while the festivities conclude with the Mandaue City Paralympic Invitational Tournament on 11 and 12 September 2026.
Mayor's First SOCA Headlines Anniversary Celebration
One of the biggest moments of the celebration will come on 28 August, when Mayor Thadeo "Jonkie" Ouano delivers his first State of the City Address (SOCA). The festivities continue on 30 August with Charter Day, featuring Charter Day PNight, Adlaw sa Pasalamat, and a Charter Day Concert Night headlined by Silent Sanctuary.
To support the expanded celebration, Kristian Marc Cabahug, executive director of the Mandaue Investment Promotions Tourism Action Center, confirmed that the city allocated ₱23 million for this year's festivities, up from ₱20 million last year. The increase largely covers the staging of the mayor's inaugural SOCA.
City employees will also receive additional benefits during the celebration. The Mandaue City Council has approved on first reading an additional two-month honorarium as a Charter Day bonus for job order and other non-regular personnel, while regular employees are set to receive the third tranche of their updated salary schedule under Executive Order No. 64, following a Department of Budget and Management circular issued in July.
With pickleball making its long-awaited debut, a fresh competition format, and a packed lineup of sporting and cultural activities, Mandaue City's 57th Charter Anniversary promises to be one of its biggest celebrations yet.
