Operation Smile Philippines has launched a fundraising campaign in Cebu to raise funds for free surgeries for children with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial differences. The campaign brings together pickleball clubs, private companies, families, and various organizations.
Fundraising Gala Night and Pickleball Tournament
The campaign kicks off with a Fundraising Gala Night on August 8, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom of NUSTAR Resort Cebu. Expected attendees include representatives from the business sector, healthcare industry, sponsors, and the sports community. The goal is to fund surgeries for at least 1,000 children within one year. According to Operation Smile Philippines, a donation of P40,000 is enough to cover surgery and services like speech therapy, dental care, and other rehabilitative care for one child.
Following the gala, a Two-Day Pickleball Fundraising Tournament will be held on October 17 and 18, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., at The Courts of Cebu. The tournament expects participation from 56 teams or around 360 players from Cebu and other parts of Visayas and Mindanao. The first day features the Corporate Team Challenge and Smiles Club Team Championships, while the second day is dedicated to the Family and Friends Team Championship.
Inclusive Tournament for All Skill Levels
Coach Rnell Arsenal of The Courts of Cebu said the tournament is open to both new and experienced players. He noted that the event aims to unite the community while helping fund reconstructive surgeries for children. The Family and Friends category has no age limit, as long as participants can play. Registration fees are P8,000 per team for the Corporate and Interclub divisions (four players per team) and P10,000 per team for the Family and Friends division (six to eight players per team).
Interested participants can register through the official registration website to be launched by organizers, or through various pickleball courts in Cebu that are partnering with the event. Organizers said complete registration details will be announced on their social media platforms once the process is finalized.
Cebu Comprehensive Cleft Care Center of Excellence
Emiliano Romano, Regional Director of Operation Smile International for Asia and Executive Director of Operation Smile Philippines, stated that the Cebu Comprehensive Care Center of Excellence is the organization's largest center in the world and serves as its Asia hub. He said the center has already performed over 1,000 surgeries, while thousands of patients have received services such as patient screening, speech therapy, and dental care. The center is expected to serve nearly 1,000 surgical patients and 3,000 to 4,000 children annually through various comprehensive programs.
Romano added that the organization continues efforts to inform more families about free services for children with cleft conditions. Recently, Operation Smile Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement with the Provincial Government of Cebu to ensure that children born with cleft conditions in the province can be immediately referred to the organization for proper care.
