MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A different kind of rally was seen last December 13, 2025 at The Zone Sports Center in Makati as pickleball enthusiasts from the advertising, production, and marketing industries gathered for a day of sport, learning, and camaraderie at Chrismash 2.0.
Now in its second year, Pickleball Chrismash continues to grow as a year-end tradition that brings together industry professionals through their shared love for the fast-growing sport. This year’s event drew over 95 participants enjoying a range of activities designed for players of all skill levels, including beginner clinics, coaching sessions, open play, skill games, and a mini-tournament.
With 72,000 pesos in cash prizes, ten 6-player teams competed in the mini-tournament across three categories: men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Winners
Rolling Rally
Team Captain: Gave Macalintal
JC Catibog
Ligel Agahan
Marie Manalaysay
Mixy Dy
OJ Chaves
Dinks But Deadly
Team Captain: Kat Suiza
Aiko So
Gagay Luis
Kim Binasa
Mio Chongson
Pierre Herbreteau
The Soshal Dinks
Team Captain: Nikki Cabildo
Bea Maranan
JM Barretto
Miguel Betudio
Yuan Estrada
Yvs Martin
Aside from the tournament, the event also showcased an exhibition match between two pros from Team Pilipinas–Pickleyard, partnered with randomly picked unsuspecting players, raffle prizes drawn throughout the day, and a game of skill called The Impossible Shot, which gave participants a shot at 5,000 pesos by hitting a target slightly bigger than a pickleball. And, of course, it was open play until 10pm or until you cramped out, whichever came first.
Founded by pickleball enthusiasts from Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, Chrismash has grown and expanded from its humble beginnings. Led by Mio Chongson, the group began organizing casual Thursday night open-play sessions in 2023 among Ace Saatchi & Saatchi and Make Technology employees. What started as informal weekly games soon evolved into six-hour, twice-weekly sessions, eventually growing into Pickle Pals, a pickleball club now composed of 85 members from various advertising agencies and production partners.
For this event, Pickle Pals was joined by participants from Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, Dentsu Creative, Ogilvy Philippines, TBWA\SMP, and VML Manila, alongside production houses and partners such as Film Pabrika, Makina, Go Motion, and various casting and producing partners.
Chrismash 2.0 was organized by Sinta Baguio, Kat Suiza, Riza Bacay, Dhang Santiago, and Gave Macalintal, and was made possible by the following:
Pickle Pals
Bonat Barreiro, JC Catibog, Golda Roldan, Mio Chongson, Portia Catuira, Robbie Dinglasan, and Sheila Kingsu
Production Partners
Arcade, CMB, D&G Productions, Dayang Media, Edge of Light, Go Motion, Hit Productions, Jim & Raisa Carrelli, Loudbox, Makina, Pabrika, Provill, Simpleng Sarap, Soundesign Manila, UxS, Wonder Collab, Yellow Brick Road
Brand Partners
Condura, Biogenic, Protect, Shakey’s, URC Jack n’ Jill Snacks
By all accounts, the event was a smashing success. With the sport’s growing popularity, Chrismash 2.0 gives the industry another reason to come together and hit off a new tradition.
