IT’S a hole in one for The Manila Times (TMT) as it hosted the TMT 8th Golf Cup 2026, gathering 75 esteemed players for an afternoon of camaraderie and fun at Club Intramuros yesterday, Jan. 28, 2026.
“This tournament is about more than golf; it is also about connection and collaboration,” said TMT CEO Anna Marie Ang-Thompson. “Whether you’re here to compete, to network, or just to enjoy a great day outdoors, we hope that you have had a fantastic time. Thank you for being here and supporting [TMT].”
Alex Acain Jr. was named the Low Gross Champion, while Xunjin Li was named the Low Net Champion.
Acain expressed enthusiasm after winning the award because it had been a long time since he won in a tournament. This was also his first time joining a golf tournament hosted by TMT, and he is looking forward in joining again. He mainly plays golf to get physical activity, meet people, and develop his network.
Under the Fun Hole awards, these players clinched the following awards: Fabian Delos Santos for Nearest to the Pin, Gerard Policarpio for Most Number of Birdies, Roy Martin for Most Number of Pars, Edcel Costales or Most Number of Bogies, and Jane Mercado for Longest Drive.
Martin said the award is a testament to hard work, especially competing with equally skilled 74 more players. He mainly plays golf to meet new friends and widen his network.
Leilani Espinola leads the female players as the Champion in the ladies, followed by Mercado and Cheryl Edeline Ong for 1st and 2nd Runner-up respectively.
Espinola said this was her first time of being awarded champion. She started playing golf four years ago and has worked hard to hone her skill, making her proud of this achievement. She mainly plays golf as a stress reliever from work and to spend quality time with her partner.
The Men’s category is divided into three classes. For Men Class C — players Who scored above 90 — Jose Leonardo was hailed champion, followed by, Torch Manalang for 1st runner-up and Peter Paul Danao for 2nd runner-up
For Men Class B — players who scored within 80 to 89 — Randy Dizer brought home the championship, while Ronald Ibanez and Lakan Fonacier got 2nd and 1st runner-up places, respectively.
Gerry Marcelo was named the champion for Men Class A — players who scored 68 to 79, followed by Ruben Figueroa and Kim Cabatit for 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up respectively,
TMT delighted players with a raffle pool. The major prizes include a Hiro massager, Delsey suitcase, Luxent Garden Cafe Buffet Lunch/Dinner gift certificates, City of Dreams’ gift certificate atThe Cafe Lunch Buffet for two, overnight stay for two in Deluxe Room with buffet breakfast at Bayview Park Hotel, overnight stay in Superior room with breakfast for two at New Coast Hotel, Luxent Deluxe Room for two with breakfast buffet gift voucher, Astron 50-inch television and Haier television.
The minor raffle prizes include an Ajinomoto Gift Bag, Solar Light, Strokes Eyebrow set, Shigetsu shades, Vision Express gift set, Rex Education lamp, electric kettle, Heartqure heart and vascular drink, Messy Bessy gift set, Wellington gift bag, Wilcon gift box, Typerice cooker, multifunctional gas stove, American Home microwave oven, Xper microwave oven, Adidas original watch and Midea pressure cooker.
The tournament was sponsored by Platinum sponsors PHirst Park Homes and PlayTime; Bronze Sponsor Toyota Motors; Hole sponsors Handphil Enertek, Primehomes, Universal Robina Corp., and Philippine Veterans Bank; and Special Partners Hiro and Shinrai, Luxent Hotel, Messy Bess, Novotel Manila Arneta City and Ibis Styles, Rising Tigers, Sun Life, Bellevue Manila, and Vital 1 purified drinking water.
The trophies were provided by Rizgolf Sports Marketing.
“Our partnership with [TMT] is one we take particular pride in,” said PlayTime Entertainment Director of Public Relations Krizia Cortez.
“The Times has been more than a newspaper; it’s been a guardian of truth and a voice of reason. In a media landscape dominated by the urgent, The Times remains committed to what’s important: thoughtful analysis, depth, and journalistic integrity. At PlayTime Entertainment, we recognize ourselves in that same philosophy. Like The Times, we’re building for a legacy not just on metrics.”