Palawan Open Is Building the Future of Philippine Tennis

There’s a certain kind of ambition that doesn’t just build tournaments—it builds pathways. And that’s exactly what the upcoming Palawan Open tennis tournament, set to take place from May 22 to 31 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, is trying to do.

The Palawan Open isn’t just another stop on the local tennis calendar. It’s being positioned as the biggest tennis event in the country today. It could redefine how Filipino players compete, develop, and dream.

At its core, though, the tournament is rooted in something much older than its name. Long before the spotlight, before the partnerships and prize pools, there was simply a passion for tennis.

For Bobby Castro, Founder and Chairman of Palawan Group of Companies, that journey started decades ago.

“I’m a tennis player myself,” he shared. “So in Palawan, we had inter-club tournaments… and later on, I saw they needed support. So I volunteered our company to sponsor.”

That decision quietly grew into something much bigger.

Over the years, what started as small, community-based competitions evolved into the Palawan Pawnshop National Tennis Championships. It’s now one of the most consistent and far-reaching grassroots tennis circuits in the country. Designed as a nationwide talent search, the series has become a platform for young players to compete, improve, and be discovered. 

It wasn’t built overnight. The circuit expanded leg by leg, reaching different regions, hosting age-group tournaments, and creating opportunities for players who wouldn’t have access to competitive tennis. Over time, it became a staple in Philippine tennis, producing athletes, shaping careers, and quietly sustaining the sport at its foundation.

For many of today’s top players, it’s where everything began.

“I started competing in Palawan tournaments when I was around eight years old,” shared Jed Olivares.

“Those yearly tournaments really helped me improve my game.”

That same story echoes across the local tennis scene, years of competing, learning, losing, winning. The kind of development that doesn’t happen overnight, but through repetition, exposure, and opportunity.

And now, the Palawan Open feels like the next step in that journey.

With a total prize pool exceeding ₱2 million—the largest in Philippine tennis—the stakes are higher than ever. But beyond the numbers, what stands out is the scale. The tournament will feature qualifying rounds on May 22–23. It’s followed by a main draw that stretches into the final days of the month, bringing together top local talent and international competitors.

And yes, the competition will be real.

International players, including top-ranked athletes from India, are set to join the field. It raises the level of play and gives Filipino athletes a rare chance to test themselves against global competition without leaving the country.

For coaches and players alike, that matters.

“It offers a fantastic opportunity… for international players and Filipino players to compete in a very competitive environment,” said Coach Yatharth Bhardwaj. 

“This will help both cultures grow.”

That idea, growth through competition, is what drives the entire project.

For years, Filipino tennis players have had to look outside the country to climb the rankings. To earn points. To get exposure. The Palawan Open is trying to change that.

“Our ambition is that players don’t need to go abroad just to earn points,” Castro explained.

“We want to bring those opportunities here.”

It’s a bold vision. One that doesn’t stop at a single tournament.

There are plans to elevate the event into an internationally sanctioned competition, one that could eventually offer ranking points and attract even more global talent. If that happens, the Philippines won’t just be participating in the global tennis scene, it will be hosting it.

But even with that long-term vision, the heart of the Palawan Open still beats at the grassroots level, the same foundation built by the national championships.

Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about one tournament.

“Maraming gusto mag-tennis pero naghahanap sila ng supporta kung paano. And yung role namin sa Palawan and in partnership with Gentry is to make sure that we can reach those who are in the grassroots.” Shared Bernard Kaibigan, Chief Marketing Officer of Palawan Group of Companies

It’s a promise—but also a challenge.

Because the Palawan Open isn’t just about showcasing talent. It’s about discovering it. About creating a space where the next generation of Filipino players can step in, compete, and realize that they belong on bigger stages.

As Carlo Castro, President and CEO of Palawan Group of Companies, put it this isn’t just a tournament.

“We are building a movement… one that will discover and nurture the next generation of athletes who will one day carry our flag with pride.”

And maybe that’s what makes this different.

Because when the first serve is hit at Rizal Memorial this May, it won’t just mark the start of a tournament.

It’ll feel like a continuation of years of groundwork, of grassroots belief, of a system that started small and grew into something the country can finally build on.

This time, though, the stage is bigger.

And so are the dreams.