MANILA, Philippines – The Perkins Twins Tennis Academy (PTTA) in cooperation with Head Philippines will be conducting the first ever tennis exhibition and free tennis clinic for beginner, intermediate and advanced players on August 16-17 at the Tuguegarao Tennis Club in Cagayan Valley.
The exhibition will be led by ex-touring tennis professional Tarny Perkins and will feature California US Grand Prix Doubles Champions, Jesse and Christian Perkins, along with 16 year old tennis phenom Nicole Amistad. Seven year old Migs Cayetano will also showcase his junior tennis skills. Jesse, Christian, Nicole and Migs all have roots in Tuguegarao.
The PTTA boasts of visiting International coaches that add their expertise and latest training techniques to the Philippine tennis community. This, coupled with the excitement generated by the International Premier Tennis League moving their First Leg to Manila in November, are acting as a catalyst to the booming popularity of tennis in the Philippines.
"We saw so many great Filipino tennis players in the US but kept wondering why there were no world-class tennis players here in the Philippines," noted Director of Tennis for the PTTA, Tarny Perkins. "We discovered it was a lack of proper training, a lack of attention to the mind game of tennis, and of course there is 'politics'.
As a result, they opened in 2012, the Perkins Twins Tennis Academy at the Edsa Shangri-la, Manila. The PTTA also started an Elite Tennis Training Program that is already producing winners from ages 6 - 17.
The tennis exhibition in Tuguegarao, Cagayan on August 16 will feature elite doubles tennis players and singing sensations (with hit song Ikaw Na by Vehnee Saturno), the Perkins Twins, Jesse and Christian. The twins are Grand Prix doubles champions in California.
"Learning from the Younghusbands on how they brought soccer/football to the public's attention, we felt that if we could bring tennis to the forefront of tennis society also through entertainment, we could attract more players to the sport of tennis and help make a contribution where Filipinos become elite tennis players. All that was lacking in the Philippines was competent training, an adaptation to "powerful and confident tennis", the winning mentality of the kids and a groundswell of talent to grow the sport - and non politics."
The Perkins Twins were recently on Rated K where they showcased their tennis and singing skills. And they gave tennis tips to Ryan Bang and Paul Jake on Kaya Mo Bang show.
The tennis exhibition will also feature 16 year old tennis phenom, Nicole Amistad.
According to Coach Tarny, "She's the real deal and has potential to take her game to the professional level. I'd say she's the best I've seen in 10 years."
Also being showcased is Migs Cayetano, a left hander like Rafael Nadal, and is one of the up and coming tennis players to watch.
All of the players have roots from Tuguegarao, Cagayan. The mother of the Perkins Twins, Tess Pazziuagan-Perkins (Cathay Pacific Flight Stewardess retiree) was born in Tuguegarao. And both Nicole and Migs are from Tuguegarao.
The Perkins Twins will also be kicking off their first Album Campus Tour entitled Para Lang Sa Yo prior to the tennis exhibition and tennis training clinics. They will perform at the University of Cagayan Valley, St. Louis University and St. Paul University. They will also perform at the Tuguegarao City Hall and participate in the Tuguegarao Grand Parade/Fiesta.