More ways to play
We all have our own ways of taking a break. It could be a gym session after work, a game of pickleball with friends, a round of “gulp,” or simply some quiet time. For me, it’s cooking or grocery shopping—everyday activities that help me switch off from work.
Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is looking to meet these varied interests through Robinsons Sports and Leisure (RSL), its newest business unit covering sports, fitness, and entertainment.
Building for the way we live
As Robinsons Land celebrates its 46th anniversary this year, president and CEO Mybelle V. Aragon-Gobio sees sports and leisure as an opportunity to broaden the company’s offerings in step with changing lifestyles.
“Sports and leisure feel like a very natural next step in our journey. It gives us another way to bring life into the communities and developments that we already have,” she says during RSL’s launch at The Westin Manila.
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RLC’s malls, office developments and destination estates like Bridgetowne offer spaces for activities beyond their traditional uses, from sports and recreation to events.
“The right spaces can unlock something in people. They can make everyday life easier, bring people together, create opportunities, or simply make places where we live feel more human,” Mybelle says.
RSL is developing fitness studios and sports facilities, while the soon-to-open Nustar Grand Theater in Cebu will host cultural performances and live entertainment.
Away from work, Mybelle has her own ways of unwinding: playing golf, getting a foot massage, and spending time with her dogs.
A new kind of luxury
For Ramon S. Rivero, RSL head and Robinsons Land chief strategist, sports and fitness represent a new area of growth for the company.
“I think sports in the future will become the new luxury,” he says.
RSL draws on international concepts and expertise while adapting its offerings to local interests and needs. Its aim is to give Filipinos opportunities to try new activities or pursue existing interests more seriously.
The power of ‘sigla’
For RSL, leisure is also about what people take away from their time off. A workout can leave someone energized, while learning a new sport can spark an interest or watching a live performance can offer a change of pace.
Ramon uses the Filipino word sigla to describe a sense of renewed energy, vitality and momentum that keeps people moving. It’s the idea behind RSL’s ambition to make sports, recreation and entertainment a meaningful part of people’s lives.
From fitness to pickleball
GX Sports is set to open to the public at Robinsons Galleria on Dec. 7. The facility will feature two pickleball courts and an official Hyrox Training Club X (HTCx) hybrid gym. Equipped with race-standard equipment, a prescribed layout and structured programming, the zone is designed to prepare participants for Hyrox, a global fitness race combining running with 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,” Ramon says.
Robinsons Sports and Leisure is also building participation beyond its facilities. Its Run Crew will debut at the AIA Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series Manila on Nov. 29, bringing together runners around shared training and race-day participation. Three GX Sports In Motion events are also planned for 2027.
Pickleball will have an even bigger presence at Bridgetowne. KAVC is developing Helios SPARC, a 14-court facility with regulation courts built to international tournament standards, including a dedicated center court, in a roofed and air-conditioned environment designed for year-round play.
A separate development, the Helios Pickleball Center, is being developed through a joint venture between Robinsons Land and KAVC. The facility will have 25 professional-grade courts and will draw on international expertise, with the design consultancy associated with professional pickleball players Collin and Ben Johns advising on the project.
Additional pickleball courts are also planned for selected Robinsons malls and offices, bringing the sport closer to where people already work, shop and spend time.
Beyond the court
In Cebu, the approximately 1,850-seat NUSTAR Grand Theater is slated to open in 2028. Ramon says the venue will expand RSL’s reach into live entertainment and culture, with plans to bring major performances to the region.
RSL is also exploring other possibilities, including sports and golf simulators, padel courts, flexible black-box spaces for entertainment and social activities, and wellness offerings.
The company intends to pursue these opportunities where demand is clear, the location is suitable and the activity has the potential to attract regular participation.
Built for the future
For Ramon, building a facility is only the beginning.
“We want to build experiences that become part of people’s routines. We can build a great court, gym or theater, but what gives it meaning is what happens inside—the first win, the friendly rivalry, the performance you remember, the friendships that grow around it.”
As RLC looks to its next chapter, its message is one of proven stability.
“For us, stability is not just about having been around for that long,” Mybelle says. “It’s about consistently delivering, adapting as people’s needs change, and continuing to build things that remain relevant to Filipino life. Our purpose has always been about building progress.”
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