Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP) launched the Sports, Wellness, at Gilas (SWAG) program on August 18, 2025, as part of its eight-month-long 80th Founding Anniversary Celebration, with August designated as Employees and Wellness Month.The activities began at 5:00 a.m. with employees gathering on campus for an early morning jog, followed by a Zumba competition among four groups: the Green Vipers, Blue Orcas, Yellow Jaguars, and Red Phoenix. Employees from the WUP Cushman Campus, WUP Hospital, and WUP Aurora joined the event. After the opening activities, participants were served rice porridge, pandesal, and water.

The program continued at the University Gymnasium with two hula hoop competitions: the Hula Hoop Endurance Challenge and the Hula Hoop Creative Presentation. In the Endurance Challenge, all team representatives surpassed the 20-minute mark. The Red Phoenix emerged as champions, followed by the Blue Orcas, Yellow Jaguars, and Green Vipers. In the Creative Presentation, the Red Phoenix again took first place, followed by the Green Vipers, Blue Orcas, and Yellow Jaguars.

In the first-phase Zumba competition, the Yellow Jaguars placed first, followed by the Red Phoenix, Blue Orcas, and Green Vipers. All succeeding Zumba performances would be staged during the half-time breaks of volleyball and basketball games, with groups performing simultaneously and scored from 1 to 5 points. Twenty-five to thirty members were required in each group.

The candidates for Mr. and Ms. Fitness and Wellness were also introduced during the program. The competition would run until February 2026, when candidates would present their fitness and wellness goals and programs. Monthly updates would be shared through vlogs on the university’s official Facebook page.

In addition to the opening-day events, the SWAG program would feature the following activities:
Volleyball (Mixed) – men and women combined teams.
Basketball – 15 players per team.
Zumba – first phase held during launch day; succeeding competitions scheduled during half-time breaks of volleyball and basketball games.
Badminton (Age Group Categories):
Age 40 and below – 5 men and 5 women.
Age 41 and above – 5 men and 5 women.
Contest categories include Singles A, Singles B, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
Chess (Mixed) – men and women combined teams.
Biggest Loser – initial weigh-in on September 17, 2025; monthly eliminations for participants with no recorded weight loss (eliminated from the contest but still required to join Zumba sessions).

The activities were organized by the Cultural Affairs and Sports Development Office (CASDO), headed by Dr. Henry Cocoy Nacpil, with assistance from the Human Resource Development Office, Physical Education Department, TELON, WUP Dance Troupe, WUP Chamber Singers, University Clinic, Wesleyan Hospital, WUP Aurora, Radio Wesleyan, Public Information Office, Asset Management Office, Maintenance and Engineering Office, and the College of Medicine and Crisis Management Committee (CMC).

Photos by Lenscab Photography