The Philippines’ biggest pickleball hub is not in Manila. It is in Sibulan, Negros Oriental—and it just opened its doors.
PlayPro Active Courts, developed by Philsouth Properties and Development Corp., has launched as the country’s largest pickleball facility, bringing 17 tournament-grade pickleball courts, 3 badminton courts, and 2 half-court basketball facilities for 3-on-3 play to one of the Visayas’ most picturesque provincial settings. The grand opening drew Negros Oriental governor Manuel Sagarbaria, Philippine Pickleball League president Aldus Corel dela Cruz, and Vietnamese pickleball stars Quang Duong and Bao Duong—professional athletes representing Wika Sports who have become familiar faces on the Southeast Asian circuit.
Philsouth president and general manager Louie Tijing was clear about what PlayPro Active Courts is meant to be—and what it is not.
“We envision PlayPro Active Courts as more than just a sports facility, but also a place where people can play, compete, connect, and elevate their game while building a stronger and healthier community,” Tijing said.
The facility arrives with immediate competitive ambitions. PlayPro Active Courts will host its first major tournament—the PPL Visayas Open—across two legs running July 30 to August 2 and August 6 to 9. The event is expected to draw as many as 2,300 athletes, including internationally ranked players, making it one of the larger pickleball gatherings the Visayas has seen. The two-part format positions it as the final island cluster leg of the PPL’s regional series, bringing together the top players from across the archipelago for what promises to be a significant competitive showcase.
The long-term development plan is equally ambitious. Tijing announced that PlayPro Active Courts will expand by adding 10 more pickleball courts—4 of which will be air-conditioned—alongside 3 table tennis courts and 2 tennis courts. The phased approach reflects a genuine commitment to building something lasting rather than simply capitalising on the sport’s current momentum.
“This is our humble way of pursuing our vision of becoming the country’s leading hub for pickleball and active recreation by promoting active lifestyles, community engagement, and sports excellence,” Tijing said.
Governor Sagarbaria framed the facility’s significance in terms that go beyond sport. Dumaguete City and its surrounding municipalities collectively count approximately 300 pickleball courts—a remarkable density that reflects the sport’s deep penetration into the local community. But PlayPro Active Courts is one of the few venues in the area that genuinely meets tournament standards, and Sagarbaria sees that distinction as central to a broader goal of positioning Negros Oriental and Dumaguete as a sports tourism destination in Central Philippines.
The location makes a compelling case for itself. Sibulan sits just outside Dumaguete—a university city known for its relaxed atmosphere, accessible coastline, and growing reputation as a destination that rewards visitors who stay longer than a weekend. A world-class pickleball facility adds another reason to come, and another reason to return.
The Philippines’ pickleball boom has been documented across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. PlayPro Active Courts is a statement that it extends well beyond the urban centres—and that Negros Oriental intends to be at the centre of it.
