PERFORMANCE footwear, sports gear and apparel innovator Under Armour (UA) continues to expand its reach in the Philippines with the opening of a brand house in Cebu City on May 22.
The first in southern Philippines, the 164-square-meter UA brand house is conveniently located on the ground level of Ayala Center Cebu. This ups the number of exclusive UA outlets in the Philippines to four, further underscoring the importance of the country as a growth area for the company headquartered in Baltimore. Customers can browse and purchase a range of innovative, quality merchandise the company has been famous for since its inception 20 years ago.
“We are extremely grateful for, and humbled by, the incredibly warm reception from our Filipino customers. We believe that UA’s success is a direct offshoot of the worldwide trend toward an active lifestyle, and how the brand values reflected in our products have successfully promoted such,” Triple Pte. Ltd. CEO Michael Binger said. The company holds the exclusive distribution rights for UA across Southeast Asia.
“During his visit to the Philippines, UA Founder, Chairman and CEO Kevin Plank had described Asia Pacific as one of the linchpins for truly defining UA as a global brand. Indeed, our upward business trajectory here exemplifies that, and increasing our presence should further enable it,” Binger added.
Highlighting the opening of UA’s new brand house is the Armour Challenge—open to male and female participants 18 years old and older on a first-come, first-served basis. The competition, held at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center, consists of three physical challenges: mountain climbers, squats and burpees. The fastest to complete the exercises will win a UA tank or sleeveless top and a discount coupon. All other participants automatically receive discount coupons.
Famous husband-and-wife fitness coaches and UA brand ambassadors Jim and Toni Saret were on hand to give valuable fitness and training advice to participants and the general public. A former national athlete, Jim was educated here and in the US on sports science and is the founder and training director of APEX (Athletic Performance Enhancement) Sports Training Inc. Like Toni, he was one of the trainers in the Biggest Loser Philippines television program. The two now host MetaBEATS, a fitness show on the Lifestyle Channel.
Under Armour’s other brand houses are located at Bonifacio Global City, Megamall and UP Town Center. UA is also available in multibranded sports houses, such as Toby’s, Olympic Village, Planet Sports, Rustan’s and major stores in key cities.