Wellness Meets Play: Pickleball at Allure Philippines’ Wellness Week
From first-timers to pros, this all-welcome sport turned into a celebration of sweat, laughter, and community.
Coming from the busy streets of Katipunan, I was taken by surprise when I arrived at Dink & Shot—a hidden gem in the heart of Marikina. The space is the complete opposite of the usual city rush: calm, welcoming, and filled with the kind of energy that instantly puts you at ease. It was the perfect setting to close out the third day of Allure Philippines‘ Wellness Week, with pickleball at the center of it all.
“People often tell us that the place feels like an escape from the city,” says Ria Canalog, head of marketing at Dink & Shot. And it’s true—once the clock struck 4:00 P.M., the court came alive with the pop-pop-pop of the ball against paddles, the shuffle of sneakers, and the bursts of laughter that echoed throughout the area (for someone who loves ASMR, it was music to my ears).
The energy was contagious, and I found myself thinking: what’s with all the pickleball craze anyway? There was only one way to find out. Of course, I had to try it myself.
First serves in the court
On the left side of the court, first-timers like myself were guided by Dink & Shot certified coaches and pickleball athletes Mikee Cruz and Elijah Arevalo. They walked us through the basics: simple drills like dribbling the ball, learning how to serve, tossing it lightly to practice timing, and introducing us to the dink—a soft, controlled shot that just clears the net, designed to slow the pace of the game and outsmart your opponent.
Even as we’re just having warm-ups, the courts were already filled with cheers, friendly competitiveness, and even new friendships—as people introduced themselves after accidentally bumping into each other while doing the drills. Among the mix were Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition’s Charlie Fleming, content creator Evan Tan, as well as NCAA courtside reporter Fonsie Roldan, who threw themselves into rallies with the same energy—laughing, diving for shots, and celebrating points as if they’d been playing for years.
Amanda Griffin-Jacob, co-founder of Vida Yoga and a lifelong tennis player, admitted she was hesitant to try pickleball—but now, she understands the obsession. “I love it,” she said, laughing. “Honestly, I stayed away from pickleball because I thought maybe it’s just for kids since it’s with a plastic ball.” What surprised her most was how difficult it actually was. She mentioned she really has to focus on control—especially with the dink—since she usually likes to smash. It forced her to be more strategic.
That’s where pickleball stood out for her. It wasn’t only about the workout—it was about focus, strategy, and play. And as a yogi who’s used to calm, centered movement, she found that contrast refreshing. “This has a completely different vibe. community, fun, and a bit of competitiveness,” she shares. It’s something she’s now eager to add to her wellness routine.
For content creator Joaquin Tiu, who had never picked up a paddle before, the sport was a surprise in more ways than one. “I didn’t think I’d sweat at all since I expected it to be chill, but I did—and it was a good surprise,” he says.
What hooked him was how engaging the game felt. “Pickleball is as mental as it is physical because you’re constantly thinking about your next move,” he shares.
Pickleball pros at play
On the other side of the court, seasoned players had their game faces on as they were locked in rallies. Miss Universe 2018 and pickleball enthusiast Catriona Gray admits she plays a few times a month but wishes she could squeeze in more sessions. “It’s social, you meet great people, and you leave sweaty but happy—with all those endorphins,” she says.
And of course, no game is complete without a cool-down. After the matches, players flocked to the bar where bottles of Pure Nectar lined the fridge—an ice-cold reward that hit just right after an afternoon of pickleball.
Right beside the water coolers was the Aveeno activation, complete with a giant bottle showcasing their products—a timely reminder to restore moisture after hours of play.
The benefits of pickleball
When I took a break from playing and people-watched from the sidelines, I could really see the magic of pickleball. Laughter mixed with the pop of paddles, players of all ages sharing the court, and conversations spilling over between points—it was clear this sport truly has a sense of community.
After an intense game, I caught up with Regina Posadas, triple medalist at the 1st Philippine Pickleball National Championship, who shared how the sport has transformed both her health and mindset, “You’re moving constantly, but you’re also strategizing—deciding what shot to hit, how to gain an advantage.” For her, pickleball gives you a workout while keeping your brain sharp.
At 55, Regina has seen firsthand how accessible pickleball can be, since unlike tennis or badminton, it is more forgiving. The smaller court and lighter paddle mean players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy it without being overwhelmed.
“Even if you’re a beginner, you can still play a real game,” she adds. “In tennis, you need a strong match-up or else you’ll get tired quickly because the court is big and the racket is heavy.” In pickleball, it’s easier, lighter, and more welcoming—especially for older players kasi mas madali ang footwork.”
The benefits also extend beyond the physical. Canalog highlights how pickleball doubles as both cardio and catharsis. “It’s a great stress reliever because you can express your anger, frustration, and stress on the courts.”
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More than a sport
At around 8:00 PM, some players were still going at it. It’s pretty evident that they’re having the time of their lives at the last pocket event of the Allure Philippines Wellness Week Day 3. As a thank you to the attendees, Allure Philippines gave a duffle bag filled with self-care essentials from Aveeno, Luxe Organix, Colourette, and Abdisy.
After experiencing pickleball for the first time, I must say I understand the hype now. Coming from badminton, it was easy to pick up, though I kept wanting to smash every ball (I guess I need to work on my dinks).
Pickleball really does welcome everyone: kids, titas, and even your lolo could join in. It’s one of those rare sports that’s competitive enough to keep you moving but chill enough that everyone’s laughing by the end.
So it felt only right that this playful, all-welcome sport concluded Day 3 of Allure Philippines‘ Wellness Week at Dink & Shot. Because more than just a game, pickleball turned into a celebration of movement, joy, and connection—leaving us sweaty and recharged.
