MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is an institution that doesn’t like to be “behind the curve”—not just in monetary policy but also in athletics.
It was there when badminton was the hottest sport, and its staff members did not need to go out of their head office in Manila to learn the sport and level up.
And now, we hear that the BSP has likewise caught the pickleball bug. It is even building its own outdoor pickleball court fronting Manila Bay.
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Biz Buzz sources said the management of the country’s central monetary and banking regulatory institution had given in to the clamor of its employees and started setting up pickleball nets all over its sprawling Malate compound after office hours.
In the past two months, we hear that the BSP pickleball club has garnered more than 160 passionate members who are all set to challenge their peers from other government agencies.
With consistent practice and training with professional players, BSP Pickleball Club is preparing to be a formidable team.
Word on the street is club members are now actively seeking out dual meets with financial institutions.
These financial and economic experts are out to prove that they can give you a run for your money when it comes to dinks, volleys, smashes and drop shots.—Doris Dumlao-Abadilla
Toby’s launches paddle collection
And speaking of pickleball, Toby’s Sports, the Philippines’ leading multi-brand sports retailer, is going all out to promote the sport that has caught the country by storm.
Last week, Toby’s Sports, founded by Philippine Retails Association president Roberto Claudio, introduced a premier line of pickleball paddles under its in-house performance brand, Toby’s Pro.
It is particularly proud of the ACP Ares, the flagship paddle co-designed with Anna Clarice Patrimonio, one of Asia’s top pickleball professional players.
“Clarice has excelled in the world of tennis and now pickleball. Her competitive spirit, athletic excellence and impressive achievements in the Asian pickleball scene made her the perfect partner for this project,” said Toby Claudio, President of Quorum International Inc., the parent company of Toby’s Sports.
He added that Patrimonio already won an Asian and World Pickleball Championship with the co-developed paddle, a testament that “we’ve come up with something really world-class.”
Patrimonio added: “This is more than just a paddle – it’s a reflection of my journey, my passion for the game, and my belief in where pickleball is headed in the Philippines.”
Toby’ Sports also developed the Pinnacle, Atlas and TCR, as part of the broader strategy to grow its in-house product development capabilities catering to the Filipino sports enthusiasts. Tina Arceo-Dumlao
Security Bank still the best for the rich
Not all of us may be fortunate enough to have a high net worth, but these types of individuals still form a significant part of the country’s banks.
For Security Bank Corp., the country’s richest have been giving them a certain kind of leverage.
The company led by tycoon Frederick Dy bagged for the fifth year in a row the award for the Philippines’ Best for High-Net-Worth at the Euromoney Private Banking Awards 2025 held in London last week.
“This recognition highlights our wealth management team’s world-class level of service—that is not only making a tangible difference for our clients but also setting a new industry standard,” Binky Mirabueno, Security Bank senior vice president and wealth relationship management head, said in a statement on Monday.
For the wealthy, Security Bank offers a “personalized and exclusive banking experience tailored to the evolving needs of its clients.” This includes a wealth manager, service manager and investment advisor meant to aid in achieving their financial goals.
Security Bank promises to continue its legacy, so maybe it’s award No. 6 next year? We don’t want to jinx it, though! —Meg J. Adonis INQ