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  • Tour of Luzon 2026 gains national push as sports tourism drive kicks into high gear

    Tour of Luzon 2026 gains national push as sports tourism drive kicks into high gear

    The return of the Tour of Luzon 2026 is shaping up on becoming a nationwide showcase of how sport and tourism can move in tandem.


    With the backing of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC), the historic race is now positioned as a flagship example of how athletic events can drive both competition and countrywide visibility. 

     

    Created under Administrative Order No. 38, the NST-IAC aims to unify efforts between government and private sectors, and this year’s Tour is one of its clearest expressions yet.

     

    At the center of that push is Patrick Gregorio, who serves as both NST-IAC chair and head of the Philippine Sports Commission. For Gregorio, the alignment between the race and the committee’s mission is clear.

     

    “The Philippine Sports Commission supports the conduct of the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 as an activity aligned with the objectives of the NST-IAC,” said Gregorio.

     

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    What makes this edition stand out isn’t just its institutional support, but its scale. A total of 14 stages will stretch across the country, blending endurance racing with a travelogue of Philippine landscapes—from coastal roads to mountain climbs.

     

    The opening stage rolls out on April 29 from CaSoBe in Calatagan to Tagaytay City, setting the tone for a route that winds through Clark, Nueva Ecija, Northern Luzon, Ilocos, Pangasinan, and ultimately finishes in the highlands of Baguio.

     

    Among the highlights are two individual time trials, including one in Pagudpud and another along the baywalk of Lingayen and Binmaley, as well as a historic first finish at Bessang Pass—adding both technical challenge and historical significance to the race.

     

    Beyond the route, the competition itself is expanding. At least six international teams have already confirmed participation, joining nine local squads ranging from UCI continental outfits to club teams. With three more foreign teams awaiting approval, the field could grow even more competitive.

     

    The stakes are equally high. Riders will chase a top individual prize of P1 million, while teams compete for a P2 million purse out of a total prize pool of P12 million—figures that underscore the race’s growing prestige.

     

    Still, for Gregorio, the value of the Tour goes beyond podium finishes and prize money.

     

    “The PSC likewise recognizes the significance of the event in providing opportunities for athlete participation and in contributing to the continued development of Philippine sports,” he added.

     

    That opportunity extends not only to elite cyclists but to aspiring riders across the country, many of whom see the Tour as a gateway to bigger stages.

     

    “Our athletes cannot be deprived of their dreams. Let sports continue!” the PSC chairman said.

    With government agencies and private partners encouraged to lend support, the 2026 Tour of Luzon is evolving into more than a race—it’s a moving platform for talent, tourism, and national pride.

     

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  • PSC Partners with FDM Institute to boost Filipino athletes’ vision and performance

    PSC Partners with FDM Institute to boost Filipino athletes’ vision and performance

    The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) continues to expand its support system for national athletes, reinforcing its commitment to provide world-class preparation as they compete on the international stage. In its latest initiative, the PSC has partnered with the FDM Neuroscience and Vision Care Research and Training Institute to enhance athletes’ visual capabilities—an often overlooked but critical component of elite sports performance.

     

    The collaboration, dubbed “Sight on the Goal: Sports Performance Vision in Action,” aims to ensure that Filipino athletes benefit from cutting-edge vision science, enabling them to perform at their highest level with improved clarity, reaction time, and coordination. The program highlights the growing recognition that success in sports is not solely dependent on physical conditioning and technical skill, but also on the efficiency of visual processing and perception.

     

    Leading the initiative is Dr. Tess Yambot, chairman of the FDM Institute, who emphasized the long-term vision behind the partnership. She expressed optimism that the collaboration would become a sustained effort in uplifting the standards of Philippine sports.

     

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    “We want to create awareness that with better vision, our athletes will have better performance. We are here to help enhance the sports vision skills of the athletes geared for excellence,” Yambot said during a press conference.

    PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio echoed this sentiment, describing the partnership as an “eye-opener” for Philippine sports. He underscored the importance of integrating science-backed methods into athlete development programs, particularly those that can provide a competitive edge on the global stage.

     

    Medical experts from the institute further explained that achieving peak performance requires more than just standard 20/20 eyesight. According to them, advanced visual skills—such as hand-eye coordination, depth perception, peripheral awareness, and rapid visual processing—are essential for athletes competing at the highest level. These attributes can significantly influence decision-making, timing, and overall execution during competition.

     

    Among the first beneficiaries of the program is rising Filipina tennis standout Kaye Emana, who has already undergone initial assessments. Her evaluation included a comprehensive set of tests designed to measure and improve various aspects of visual performance, such as vision skills testing, eye-hand coordination, visual tracking, reaction to light stimuli, and enhanced visual clarity during play. These assessments are expected to provide valuable insights that can be translated into tangible improvements on the court.

     

    The rollout of the program begins with a free two-day “functional assessment” for national athletes scheduled on April 9, to be followed by similar sessions for coaches, trainers, and sports officials on April 11. Both activities will be held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, a historic hub for Philippine sports development.

     

    With this initiative, the PSC continues to demonstrate a progressive approach in athlete preparation—embracing innovation and interdisciplinary support to ensure that Filipino competitors are equipped not only physically and mentally, but also visually, as they strive for excellence on the international stage.

     

     

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