Editor’s note: This press release is sponsored by Robinsons Land Corporation and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.
The hours we remember most are rarely the ones we planned down to the minute. A friendly match stretches into one more game. The last kilometer of a run reveals inner strength we didn’t know we had. Somewhere in a darkened theater, an entire audience holds its breath. And when those moments have passed, we carry something from them back into everyday life: a little more confidence, a deeper connection, the simple pleasure of feeling fully alive.
There is a Filipino word for that renewed energy: sigla. And Robinsons Sports and Leisure (RSL), Robinsons Land’s newest business unit, wants to make room for more of it for every Filipino. By bringing quality sports, recreation and entertainment experiences closer to where Filipinos live, work, shop and stay, RSL hopes to make these hours—our precious “me time”—a little more rewarding by fulfilling its promise, “For a Life That Moves You.”
RSL looks to the world for inspiration and to Filipino communities for direction. Its distinctly “glocal” approach brings international sports and leisure concepts and expertise closer to home, shaping them around local interests and lifestyles. The aim is to make these experiences relevant, accessible, and community-driven, giving Filipinos opportunities to discover something new and make it their own.
“The world is full of exciting ways to play, compete and recharge. We at Robinsons Land want to bring more of these experiences within reach of every Filipino and make them feel right at home here,” said Ramon Rivero, Robinsons Land’s chief strategist and RSL head. “That’s what “glocal” means to us: pairing international expertise with a real understanding of the communities we serve. A first-time player should feel welcome. Someone training seriously should have room to grow. Reeling senses after a night of live entertainment. And everyone should come away with more confidence, connection, and sigla.”
“Glocal” is a portmanteau combining global and local which describes the practice of living with a mindset that spans both worldwide and regional scales.
Bringing the action closer to home
Robinsons Land’s entry into sports and leisure builds on decades of experience developing places that are woven into Filipino daily life.
“For 46 years, Robinsons Land has built homes, workplaces, malls and hotels around the changing needs of Filipinos,” said Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio, Robinsons Land president and CEO. “Sports and leisure give us another way to make sure that those developments become a part of every Filipino. We want our destinations to offer meaningful experiences worth making time for, with the quality and consistency that communities have come to expect from us.”
RSL is finding new possibilities within Robinsons Land’s existing developments. Rooftops and open areas can be transformed into courts and recreational spaces, bringing sports and leisure closer to where people already live, work and spend time together. A game after work or a weekend activity with friends can then seamlessly become a natural part of daily life.
Some will come to compete, others to learn, and still others simply for the pleasure of staying active and spending time with friends. RSL hopes to welcome them all, from curious beginners and weekend players to serious athletes and older adults discovering new ways to keep moving.
That spirit of participation will be on display on November 29, when the RSL Run Crew makes its debut at the AIA Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series Manila. Part of an international series that combines road racing with live music and entertainment, the event will bring runners together for a celebration of fitness and camaraderie along Manila’s historic streets.
Another opportunity arrives on December 7 with the public opening of GX Sports at Robinsons Galleria. The facility will feature two pickleball courts and an official HYROX Training Zone under the HYROX Training Club X (HTCx) concept. Equipped with race-standard equipment, a prescribed layout, and structured programming, the zone will help participants prepare for HYROX, the global fitness race combining running and functional workouts.
“The specialized training environment brings an internationally recognized fitness format within reach of Filipino enthusiasts, whether they are preparing for competition or looking for a new challenge,” adds Rivero.
In 2027, three GX Sports In Motion events will offer different ways to participate, giving people more opportunities to meet, compete and enjoy activities together. RSL will also continue developing the programming and partnerships that bring its facilities to life.
Pickleball takes a bigger stage
A friendly game and an international tournament begin the same way: someone steps onto the court.
At Bridgetowne, the fast-rising sport will take center stage when Helios Beta hosts the PPA Asia 500 Manila Open 2027. Operated by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corporation (KAVC), the 14-court facility will bring international tournament action to an estate where residents, workers, and visitors can also make sports part of their everyday lives.
Bridgetowne’s pickleball offerings will expand further with the development of the separate 25-court Helios Pickleball Center, a joint venture between Robinsons Land and KAVC. International expertise is helping shape the project, with KAVC tapping Johns Design & Consulting, the consultancy of professional pickleball players Collin and Ben Johns, as design consultant. The brothers’ experience competing at venues around the world will help inform the state-of-the-art facility’s planning, design, and events programming.
Beyond Bridgetowne, additional pickleball courts are planned for selected Robinsons malls and offices. Each new location can bring the sport within reach of another community, giving more Filipinos a chance to discover the game, improve their skills, and perhaps turn an occasional match into a weekly tradition.
From the court to the curtain call
The thrill of a close match, the magic of a live performance—there are many ways to bring people together. RSL is making room for more of them.
In Cebu, the approximately 1,850-seat NUSTAR Grand Theater is slated to open in 2028, expanding RSL’s offerings into live entertainment and culture. “NUSTAR Grand Theater will be the largest entertainment and cultural venue in the VisMin Region,” shares Rivero. He adds that RSL is looking forward to the venue for the grandest and best live entertainment to hit Philippine shores in the coming months.
Beyond the theater, RSL is exploring an even wider range of leisure possibilities, including sports and golf simulators, padel courts, flexible black-box spaces for entertainment and social activities, and wellness experiences. RSL will pursue these opportunities where demand is clear, the location is suitable and there is a strong potential for repeat participation.
“This deliberate approach supports Robinsons Land’s premiumization strategy, which seeks to make its destinations more distinctive, appealing and rewarding to visit,” says Rivero. This will translate to RSL developing thoughtfully designed facilities, engaging programs and forge specialist partnerships, with consistent high standards of quality, service and safety across locations and offerings shaped by the interests of each community.
The real test will come after opening day. Will people enjoy themselves enough to return? Will a new interest become a lasting passion, or a favorite activity find a regular place in someone’s week? These are the signs that an experience has found its way into people’s lives—and the measure of RSL’s success.
That is the promise behind RSL’s “glocal” vision: bringing the world’s possibilities closer to Filipino communities and giving people the freedom to make those experiences their own. An idea that began halfway around the world can become a favorite pastime, a familiar gathering place or a tradition shared among friends.
The game ends, the curtain falls, and everyone makes their way home—with a little more sigla than when they arrived. – Rappler.com