The Philippine Badminton Association is set to cap off another milestone in its grassroots development drive as the final leg of the Junior Regional Badminton unfolds at the Chavit Coliseum in Ilocos Sur from November 6 to 9, 2025.
The event marks the culmination of PBAD’s nationwide grassroots program, which has evolved from the Junior Regional Series into a more competitive and inclusive Junior Regional Badminton circuit.
Designed to discover and develop promising young talents, this forms a vital part of PBAD’s talent identification program, which also includes scouting at major youth meets such as Batang Pinoy and the Palarong Pambansa.
“The Junior Regional Badminton is more than just a tournament — it’s a bridge between grassroots development and the national team,” said PBAD Head of Developments Melvin Consunji-Nubla.
“We’re seeing the next generation of Filipino shuttlers rise from these regional events.”
The Ilocos Sur leg serves as the final stop before PBAD finalizes selections into the current National Junior Development Pool, established earlier this year to nurture future members of the national team.
It operates under the unified direction of Coach Escoses, who is the head coach of the junior team, National Team Head Coach Joper Escueta, and Program Director Kennie Asuncion.
The Junior Regional Badminton series has also become a proving ground for emerging names like JR Pandi, Christel Fuentespina, Andrea Hernandez, Mary Untal, and Ralph Dalojo, who have represented the country in recent team competitions under coaches Escueta and Escoses.
Beyond player development, PBAD continues to strengthen its foundation.
Other than the grassroots program, established major local tournaments, and the online ranking system, PBAD is also in the process of aligning local technical officiating standards through partnerships with Badminton Asia and BWF.
Corporate backing has also bolstered the program’s growth.
A partnership with Cignal aims to amplify the sport’s visibility and inspire young athletes nationwide.
“This partnership with Cignal is about giving badminton the spotlight it deserves,” said Nubla.
PBAD’s progress also got the attention of Yonex, now the federation’s official partner through the efforts of former secretary general Carla Lizardo-Sulit and continuous support from current sec-gen Shawntel Nieto, providing gear for players.
As the Junior Regional Badminton heads to Ilocos Sur, the excitement signals more than the end of a season — it marks the beginning of a new era for Philippine badminton.
With continued support from MVP Sports Foundation, the MVP Group, and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by chairman Pato Gregorio, the road to 2026 and beyond looks promising for the sport’s next generation.
