Jewel Angelo Albo defeats Clarence Villaflor in the men’s singles final last year in Antipolo City. Over 500 players are expected to join the Philippine Badminton Association Open scheduled July 7-12, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. (Contributed photo)
The country’s top badminton athletes are gearing up for a showdown as the Philippine Open returns from July 7 to 12 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Organized by the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD), the weeklong tournament boasts a hefty PHP1 million prize pool, making it the most prestigious badminton event on the local calendar.
“This is our flagship event. The Philippine Open consistently draws the best talent from across the nation,” said PBAD secretary-general Carla Lizardo-Sulit in a statement on Thursday.
More than just national pride and prize money are at stake—the tournament is a Badminton World Federation (BWF) Tour Super 1000 event, and plays a critical role in shaping the national rankings.
“It’s the biggest source of points in our local ranking system. If you’re aiming for a spot on the national team, this is your stage,” Lizardo-Sulit emphasized.
Last year’s edition saw Jewel Angelo Albo and Mika de Guzman take home the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively. Lea Inlayo and Nicole Albo topped the women’s doubles, while Christian Bernardo took home two crowns—partnering with Ariel Magnaye in men’s doubles and Alyssa Leonardo in mixed doubles.
The PBAD views the tournament as part of a larger mission: sending Filipino shuttlers to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Our long-term vision is clear—we want to see a Filipino badminton player on the Olympic stage,” Lizardo-Sulit said.