March 30, 2009 @ 6:39 pm

Philsports Swimming Pool

Just got home from a short adventure. I planned to finally go (albeit alone) swimming at the olympic-sized pool at Philsports Complex, Pasig City. I’ve been pondering on starting on swimming as my cross-training for running for months now. But now that I finally muster up the courage to start, I couldn’t believe it didn’t go as smoothly as I hope that it to be.

So I got there around 5PM. I went ahead of my usual Monday running mate, Linux Geekette, just hoping to be there early and not rushing to finish up when she finishes running at the track oval.

I went straight to the track oval/swimming pool ticket booth. The track oval is priced at P29; the swimming pool is priced at P43 in case you want to ask.

I asked the ticket man before I purchased my ticket:

Was the pool exclusive to the group swimming there today?

TM: Yes, it’s exclusive. It’s for the swim team.

Me: Oh, Ok…

TM: And the pools is up to 4:30PM only. And it’s closed on Mondays.

Me: I see. What time is it open to the public?

TM: 8-11AM and 1-4:30PM.

I then let a few ticket purchasers to buy their ticket and then asked again.

Me: How ’bout weekends?

TM: The schedule is posted over there. (Points to some general direction) Near the guard’s table.

Me: Ok, thanks anyway.

Then I proceed to check the so-called schedule he was saying.

The conversation actually transpired in the local dialect. And TM (that’s ticket man) responded in a very rude voice and with a frown on his face. Seemingly hating me more and more for every question I asked. I would have given him the right to be rude if the schedule was actually posted in plain view at the ticket booth. But no, it was way over there, near the gates before you step in the pool area. For any newbies, you wouldn’t even think of going there to check. So I assume that I could ask. Alas, questioning is so not welcome for that man.

I actually googled about swimming at Ultra before but I was unlucky to stumble upon a blog detailing it. So for those who are also curious to know. Here’s the Philsports pool schedule:

Mondays and Holidays: CLOSED

Tuesdays to Sundays: 8-11AM and 1-4:30PM

Although, I’m not sure of other exclusive pool schedules such as swimming team, summer swimming class, or the underwater hockey team trainings.

As for me, maybe I’ll try swimming there again this coming Saturday. Maybe not. I’m hoping I can get guest passes to one of those exclusive clubhouses around the OBD (that’s Ortigas Business District) instead. Papa-dear said that he will ask a friend if he could help me get in one.

Or if you have suggestions on a lap pool that is clean and budget-friendly that I could try. Or maybe you could get me in as guest to some member’s only pool. Hey, do drop me a message. It’ll be greatly appreciated.

Addendum: After poking my nose around forums. I realized I haven’t researched enough. Haha The schedule of the pool at Ultra is out there. I could’ve saved myself from that unnecessary trip today or of the encounter with that ticket man. And there’s another public, well-kept pool to consider Makati Aquatic Sports Arena or MASA at Makati with a more worker-friendly hours than Ultra. Their pool is open from 8AM-8PM, fee is P150 for non-Makati residents; P50 for Makati dwellers. Oh, just to beat the summer heat!

Filed under Random Life Permalink

10 Comments »

Posted by valeriepeach

April 19, 2009 @ 2:27 pm

this blog really is indeed helpful! thank you, you saved us from dealing with that rude guy..
Posted by kelay

April 19, 2009 @ 7:56 pm

Hi valeriepeach, I’m glad you found this helpful.

I finally got to try to swim there last Tuesday afternoon that I went on leave from work. It’s not the cleanest pool you could swim in though, but what do we expect, it’s a public pool. But they say, at least it is better than Amoranto’s; MASA pool is worth trying out too.
Posted by Roland

July 2, 2009 @ 9:06 am

I’m glad you posted this. I was looking for the PhilSports’ website to check the pool’s schedule but couldn’t find it. I used “PhilSports swimming pool schedule” on Google and your post was on top of the list. Thanks for info and the time saved from actually going to there.
Posted by kelay

July 2, 2009 @ 10:11 am

Hey Roland! I’m happy my entry was of help.
Posted by john

March 9, 2010 @ 9:28 am

finally a nice blog for swimmers in Metro Mla
thx for this!
i will rank this
1st = PhilSports Complex – 50 meters, 12 lanes -
(this is #1 for me , coz it has d widest pool in all complex in MM)

2nd= Makati Aquatic Sports Arena – 50 meters, 8 lanes -
(#2 for its well maintained pool + it has d friendliest time for workers or swimmers who want to push their time in swimming in MM)

Add:

3rd = Rizal Memorial Sports Complex – 50 meters, 8 lanes -
(ill add this for its well kept pool + diz complex is d easiest to find for beginners who want to start swimming in olympic length sized pool that reads ur thread)

Thank You !! ^_^
Posted by Hulios

May 23, 2010 @ 7:09 pm

God knows how long I’ve been looking for a decent pool where I could do laps. I prefer covered pools since I can’t bear the heat of the sun.

Might I add to your list the Pasay Sports Complex’s Swimming Pool located Behind Cuneta Astodome.

I’d rate this as 4th next to Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Its open to public for a fee and there’s nothing to expect much from it except that its a covered pool and half the normal olympic size.

Fee is P50 for Non-Pasay Residents and P30 for Pasay Residents. I’m not sure about these prices since it has been 2 years since I last visited the place. I stopped visiting since I could no longer put up with the unsanitary toilets and shower area. Plus, all of their lockers are all rusted and can easily be broken into.

I look forward to trying MASA.
Posted by Gail

June 13, 2010 @ 3:44 pm

very helpful, thanks so much for posting this information. was glad i to have stumbled unto your site after endless searches in the past for the pool sked in Ultra. so i guess it wont work out for me then, the 4.30pm deadline. sigh. after looking forward to it for the longest time, i was hoping i can finally have the courage to stick to a fitness sked.

i am not sure if this will be helpful, but there is a pool in Linden Suites that you may want to check out if you work long hours and you would want to have a pool nearby to de-stress in the middle of work…then back to work after swimming =) i haven’t checked it out yet, but i have heard positive feedback about the facility. really pricey for me, if you ask me though. oh well… when desperation sets in…. good luck!

oh btw, a friend goes to MASA and she gave 2 thumbs up to the place for swimming. suits her needs.

=D all for the love of water =D
Posted by kelay

June 15, 2010 @ 10:36 am

Thanks for ranking the pools! Makes this entry all the more helpful for those on the hunt for lap pools in Metro Manila.

Philsports has recently finished renovating their pool and a new rate applies (P60). Haven’t got a peek inside the pool area though, might try swimming there again soon. Will try to post an entry about it.

@Gail: thanks about the tip on the Linden Suites pool. Might check it out too before end of month.
Posted by GuyNextDoor

July 13, 2010 @ 11:53 am

Ive been searching for an olypic sized pool, I also tried at Rizal sports pool (15yrs ago-quite a long time).. I found this good.
The MASA(Mkti) I droped by last week and read some info regarding the price range:
For Makati residence: P50
Outsider: P150
I hope this would help..
Posted by rj’s mama

September 2, 2010 @ 12:48 am

did you see any lifeguard? you might have, but they are usually in the pool teaching kids/adults to swim (with pay that goes straight to their pockets) and not in the lifeguard chair