WITH the simple, rhythmic sound of the ball meeting the racket, tennis has become a universal language for these Filipino celebrities.
Whether it started as a formative experience, a reconnection, or simply a hobby they tried and committed to, the sport has instilled diligence in actress Maika Rivera-Tanpoco, stylist Bang Pineda, and beauty queen Gazini Ganados, changing their lifestyles forever.
Over the weekend, the three served as the country’s representatives at the 2025 ASICS Regional Tennis Summit in Singapore, where they played with and against other tennis enthusiasts from Southeast Asia. The event also marked the introduction of the brand's latest release, the GEL-RESOLUTION X tennis shoes.
READ: ASICS launches humidity-friendly tennis shoe
Despite the language barrier, it was easy for them to socialize and form connections through the sport at Kallang Sports Stadium, which also hosted the recently concluded WTA 250 Singapore Tennis Open.
Coming from different backgrounds, their shared love for the game brought these three personalities together, as they each shared their success stories in the sport.
Maika it happen
For former prodigy Rivera-Tanpoco, who had a storied background in amateur tennis growing up, the sport taught her a mentality she still finds useful today.
“Tennis shaped who I am today. I owe the discipline I have now to playing tennis and being an athlete in general. Being an athlete taught me to stay ready at all times because no sport will wait for you,” she shared with SPIN.ph.
Rivera-Tanpoco shared that since she first held a racket at two years old, she never let go— even after her competitive years.
“When I was young, I thought I was missing out; I wasn’t doing the typical kids’ stuff because I was always training,” she said. “Now that I’m older, I’m grateful I did that - it changed my mindset on things. The mental toughness of fighting for every point is elegantly beautiful, and it’s warzone-like at the same time.”
Bang-Bang all over you
Meanwhile, Pineda, a veteran fashion stylist, found tennis at a time when he didn’t think it was possible to have hobbies.
“Ever since I started working in showbiz in 2004, Monday to Sunday, I had zero physical activity. I was too busy to do anything else until the pandemic hit, and that’s when I realized, pwede naman pala mag-relax,” he shared.
And that’s when he reconnected with his childhood activity - playing tennis. With that, he then noticed improvements in his health and wellness.
“I grew up in a family that played it, but it wasn’t really my thing. But since it was one of the few things allowed during the pandemic, I played again. I had acute asthma growing up, but when I played regularly, I noticed I wasn’t getting attacked, and my resistance is better. I’m 48, and I can compete with people in their 20s and 30s, and even beat them,” he said.
Apart from just playing, Bang made it a lifestyle, even blending the worlds of fashion and sport in his collections.
“Last year’s collection, 'State of Bang,' featured tennis alongside my love for travel and the ocean. Now, I’m planning to launch a limited-edition apparel line since tennis has become such a big part of my life. Wherever I go, I always have my racket with me,” he shared.
Universal love of sport
Such is also the case for Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Ganados, who considers tennis a breather from her daily grind.
While she only started playing in 2020, the sport has rewarded her with a better body and boosted her morale for physical activities.
“I wasn’t really a sports person before, but tennis welcomed me, and I acquired the sport very quickly. It improved my lifestyle as someone who likes to get things done early in the day. It boosts my energy and helps me accomplish everything when I start my day with tennis,” she shared.
Ganados continued: “Somehow, my competitiveness was also fueled, and I get to enjoy the fun side of it, socializing with friends and creating camaraderie with people.”
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