Made For Play With No Pressure
ALL-STAR had the opportunity to sit down with Penshoppe Vice President Brandon Liu to pick his brain about how the brand’s recent moves align with their vision, values, and their thrust to showcase that Filipino craftsmanship is world-class.
In the heart of what many are calling the “Golden Age” of Philippine sports, there is another shift worth observing. While gold medals and podium finishes dominate the headlines, another movement is brewing—one that’s affected the daily lives of Filipinos, particularly the younger generation and how they’ve seemingly made the leap to be more sports-oriented and health conscious.
Enter Penshoppe Play, the latest athleisure line from PH fashion retail giant, Golden ABC.
Performance Meets Personal Style
The recent announcement of SEA Games victors Kira Ellis and Elijah Cole as ambassadors for Penshoppe Play isn’t just about their trophy cases. For Brandon, it’s about their vibe.
“We look beyond the performance,” Brandon shares. “Aside from their accomplishments, we chose them because of their personal sense of style. We saw that while they are performing, they actually enjoy what they do.”
This philosophy is the heartbeat of Penshoppe Play. It’s an invitation to view activewear not as an intimidating uniform for elites, but as an inclusive wardrobe for anyone who moves.
The Inspiration? Real Life
The road to Penshoppe Play was paved with careful prototyping and personal testing. Brandon, having recently taken up running himself, used his own mileage to refine the fabrics and fits.
“It was a long time coming,” he says. “We saw the shift—instead of going out at night, people are waking up early for a run and grabbing coffee after. We wanted to offer something that aligns with that lifestyle: stylish, accessible nationwide, and at an affordable price point.”
By focusing on the “after-run coffee” as much as the run itself, the line strikes a balance between technical necessity and aesthetic appeal. It’s activewear that refuses to take itself too seriously.
The Future: A Wide Array of Talent
While the brand celebrates the success of icons like tennis star, and current talk of the town, Alex Eala, the vision for Penshoppe Play remains democratized. Working with athletes like Kira and Elijah is just the starting gun.
“It’s just a signal of the start,” Brandon explains. “You can expect more exciting things in the months to come. We aren’t just narrowing in on athletes; we are looking at a wide array of talents to show that movement is for everyone.” As the Philippines continues to shine on the global stage, Penshoppe Play is ensuring that every Filipino has the gear to join the race—wherever their finish line may be.
