The Mandaluyong City Fencing Club continues its commitment to grassroots sports development as it stages ‘Tuloy ang PagSulong: Developmental Fencers Tournament’ on Sunday, October 25, at the SM Center Shaw in Mandaluyong City.
Founded on the principle of nurturing young athletes, the tournament puts the spotlight on developmental fencers, providing young athletes with valuable opportunities to experience competition, develop their skills, and build confidence in the sport of fencing.
Ariel Montinola, head coach and founder of the Mandaluyong City Fencing Club, said the event was originally envisioned as a collaborative undertaking. Despite the changes in its organizing arrangements, the club has decided to proceed independently to ensure that the tournament pushes forward.
‘What matters most is that we continue to create opportunities for our young fencers. Tuloy ang PagSulong. Our focus is on the kids – their development, their confidence, and their journey in fencing. We hope to welcome not only the participating fencers but also their families this Sunday,’ Montinola said.
The club expressed its gratitude to SM Center Shaw and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for their support of previous fencing events. It also extended its appreciation to the coaches and fencing clubs that submitted entries and helped bring the tournament to life.
Registration remains open until Friday, October 23, specifically for the Under 10 Mixed Épée event. All other events have reached their minimum participant requirements. The tournament will be conducted in a single-day meet to maximize efficiency and provide a focused competition experience for the participating athletes.
The club continues to establish a tradition of making tournaments more memorable for young athletes. Since the Mandaleño Fencing Cup 2025 at SM Center Shaw, followed by events held at Greenfield District, the club has consistently provided participant event T-shirts and other complimentary items.
This year’s Tuloy ang PagSulong tournament continues that commitment, with event T-shirts and commemorative keychains prepared for participants.
For Montinola, these initiatives reflect the club’s belief that grassroots tournaments should offer more than competition – they should create meaningful experiences for children and their families.
Beyond the tournament, Mandaluyong Fencing is preparing for a new chapter in its development, with European fencing brands expressing support for the club founder’s vision.
Mandaluyong Fencing is the exclusive Philippine dealer of PBT Fencing, the Hungarian fencing equipment brand. Coinciding with the PagSulong event, the club is also moving forward with the signing of its dealership agreement with OCTAV, a fencing shoe brand based in the United Kingdom.
These partnerships are expected to strengthen the club’s initiatives in athlete development, equipment accessibility, and the growth of fencing in the Philippines. The club invites the fencing community to watch for further announcements in the coming year.
Montinola also acknowledged the continuing support of club parents, fellow coaches, participating fencing clubs, and the leadership of the Philippine Fencing Association, whose contributions help sustain the sport’s development.
As the tournament approaches, Mandaluyong Fencing remains committed to its guiding spirit: SULONG! – Sportsmanship, Unity, Love for the Sports and Humanity, Optimism, Nurturing, and Gratitude.
The Mandaluyong City Fencing Club, also known as Mandaleño Fencing, is committed to grassroots fencing development, athlete formation, and community engagement. Through training programs, developmental competitions, and strategic partnerships, the club seeks to make fencing more accessible while nurturing the next generation of Filipino athletes.