Celebrities attend the opening of a new pickleball court at a mall near Cainta, Rizal, September 25, 2026. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Pickleball courts have been opening all over the Philippines in the past months, with an influx of enthusiasts wanting to try the fast-rising sport.
This includes a handful of celebrities, who attended the opening of a six-court pickleball venue at a mall near Cainta, Rizal on Friday.
Award-winning actress Cherry Pie Picache, Diana Zubiri, former beauty queen Carlene Aguilar, Nikki Valdez, Eruption, Marc Solis, Vin Abrenica, and Meg Imperial were just some of the stars spotted swinging their paddles and sweating it out on the newly-opened court.
"Para ito na yung workout ko. Aside from working out, ito na yung parang cardio ko. Nag-eenjoy ako na pinapawisan ako," said Zubiri, who has been enjoying the game with her husband, Andy Smith.
Aguilar, meanwhile, has transitioned from playing badminton to pickleball.
"Mas marami akong kakilala dito sa pickleball. It's the community talaga, itong pickleball. And kahit saan, ang dami nang nagsusulputan na pickleball courts," said Aguilar.
It's a similar story for Picache, who started out in tennis but switched after seeing so many try the sport.
"Plus, I supposed it's age also. It's more forgiving on my knees, sa back ko. And there's so many people, it's a community," she said.
"I also like to advocate that there's no age limit. I'm 56, and there are players that I play with mga 60, 62, 65. So parang, you can still start on something that's healthy, 'di ba?" added the veteran actress.
Valdez, meanwhile, said it was "easy to learn" the sport. "And it's easy to put people together. At saka ngayon, biglang nag-boom siya, kasi pwede kang maglaro ng may bubong, pwede kang maglaro ng late night," she added.