Under Armour opens first branch in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebuanos and those from other areas in Visayas and Mindanao will not have to go to Manila to buy their favorite Under Armour sporting products anymore as the brand has opened its first brand house outside Manila at the ground floor level of the Ayala Center Cebu last Sunday, May 22, 2016.

The Cebu UA brand house is actually the fourth in the Philippines with the first 3 branches located at the Bonifacio Global City, SM Megamall and the UP Town Center, all in Metro Manila.

Christine Majadillas, managing director of One of a Kind Marketing, said that they are planning to open another branch here in Cebu, at the SM Seaside City.

Majadillas said they were eager to open a branch here in Cebu because of its exciting market and also basing on the volume of online orders that they received from here.

UA’s opening of a brand house here is also timely as they will be partnering with Cobra for the Asia Pacific Championships of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines which will be happening here in Cebu on August 7.

Majadillas said that they are planning to hold several activities in support of the event which is being organized by the Sunrise Events Inc. They are still in the planning stage but top of the list is bringing one of their ambassadors, Piolo Pascual, who will be seeing action in the gruelling race, which has attracted more than 2,817 participants coming from 41 countries.

They will also be holding the Under Armour Challenge and be giving out gear to participants, Majadillas added.

Aside from opening a brand house here, Under Armour is also planning to share their campaign of maintaining a healthier lifestyle to Cebuanos by bringing their grassroots sports development for Cebuanos to take part in.

Majadillas said they will start with running, then branch out to basketball to be handled by PBA star Asi Taulava and then fitness training under ambassador couple Jim and Toni Saret, who are also handling the fitness training of various Philippine Olympians heading to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.

Under Armour will also have initiatives focused on women’s fitness, including yoga, pilates and circuit training.

Majadillas said that they will be bringing all these activities to Cebu by September.

Highlighting last Sunday’s brand house opening was the Under Armour Challenge held at the Ayala Activity Center which draw participants from those taking part in the ongoing Metafit program. Participants had to perform 3 physical challenges, the mountain climbers, squats and burpees, the fastest to have accomplished all 3 were declared winners and went home with UA tank or sleeveless top and discount coupons. Those who did not win still got discount coupons for their efforts.

The public also received valuable fitness and training advice from coach Jim and Toni Saret, who are also coaches in ABS-CBN’s The Biggest Loser. – Rappler.com