Lost Landmarks of Cebu: Jai Alai Building

Have you ever heard about jai alai? This interesting Basque sport used to have a home in Mambaling, now it's all gone. What happened?

Gaisano Grand Jai Alai superimposed on the old playing venue

The Lost Landmarks of Cebu is an article series that features prominent buildings and monuments in Cebu that no longer exist. If you have suggestions or want to contribute, please feel free to message us on our Facebook page.

Speak of Cebu and images of the Sto. Niño, the province’s patron, come to mind. And so does the valiant Lapu-Lapu, sweet mangoes, the famous lechon, guitars and beaches. But it is more than that. Cebu is a special and beautiful place. It is also my home. Beyond these iconic images lies the story of a lost landmark that holds a special place in the hearts of many Cebuanos - the Jai Alai Building. It may not be as architecturally stylish as its Art Deco counterpart in Manila, but it sure left an indelible mark on older people who had memories of that sport.

Historical Background

Jai alai, a sport that once gripped the hearts of Cebuanos during the 60s, 70s, and parts of the 80s, traces its origins to the Basque region of Spain. It's a game of exhilarating speed, where pelotaris (jai alai players) fling a hard rubber ball, called a pelota, at rocket speed using a cesta, a curved basket attached to their hand. The game is about the breathtaking speed and the excitement it brings to the people.

Basque pelotaris taught Cebuanos how to play the game

Jai alai found its way to Cebu, becoming a significant part of the local culture. It was more than just a sport; it became intertwined with the illegal numbers game known as 'masiao.' Bets were placed at the back of homes, with every 25-centavo wager potentially yielding a peso or more. Today, masiao has transformed into suwertres or swertres, but the memories of those betting days linger.

The Cebuano jai alai scene had its heroes, local talents who trained hard, starting as neighborhood boys within the fronton or cancha in Mambaling. Being drafted as a pelotari in Manila was a ticket to success and wealth. The sport flourished under the patronage of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, who recognized its potential to combat illegal gambling. He issued Presidential Decree No. 1507 in 1978, granting the Philippine Games and Holiday Corporation (now PAGCOR) a franchise to operate, construct, and maintain a fronton for Basque Pelota in Cebu City.

Remember this paper being passed around back in the day?

The Jai Alai Fronton in Cebu City was once a vibrant hub of activity, but today, it stands as a shadow of its former self. Leaking roofs, rusting screens, and broken wood flooring tell tales of its glorious past. Yet, they fail to dampen the competitive spirit of former players and enthusiasts who still gather every week to fling the pelota for an afternoon of camaraderie and fun.

Beyond Cebu, a cancha in Quezon City also carries the legacy of this thrilling sport. The echoes of jai alai's past glory still resonate in the hearts of those who remember the exhilaration it brought.

Future Development

A few years ago, I witnessed construction workers fencing off the compound where the old jai alai building stands. News of a mall replacing the iconic building in Mambaling, left me with mixed emotions. The jai alai building had been a part of my personal history, a place where memories were made.

The building, which had once housed the excitement of jai alai matches and the fervor of bettors, is now set to make way for modernity. The old structure, with its cool interiors and stories of clandestine rendezvous, will be replaced by a mall that will cater to a new generation.


As the construction progresses, I can't help but think about the countless stories within those walls. Friends gathering to enjoy the cool atmosphere, young couples on a budget date, and even the not-so-savory activities that occurred when it was abandoned in the 1990s—all are a part of its history.

The jai alai building, with its Spanish inscription, "El Fallo del Juez es inapelable" (The judge’s decision is final), was not just a structure; it was a witness to the unfolding stories of Cebu's past.


While change is inevitable, the name "jai alai" will always hold a special place in the hearts of Cebuanos. It transcends the bricks and mortar of the building; it is a part of our heritage, a reminder of a bygone era when Cebuans gathered to witness the fastest sport in the world.

As we bid farewell to the Jai Alai Building and welcome the new mall, let us remember the history it represents. Let us cherish the memories of a time when the pelota flew at breakneck speeds, and the crowd's cheers filled the air. The Jai Alai Building may be gone, but its legacy lives on in the hearts of Cebuanos, reminding us of a unique and thrilling chapter in our history.

References:
"The Cebu Jai-Alai Fronton," by Clarence Paul Oaminal. The Freeman.
The Famous Cebu Jai Alai. Cebu Channel Online.
Mambaling Jai Alai Practice. keith88gt on YouTube.
Rolan “Tigay” Quijano Interview. The Carloan Expert on YouTube.

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Istoryadista | History Blog | Cebu Blogger: Lost Landmarks of Cebu: Jai Alai Building
Lost Landmarks of Cebu: Jai Alai Building
Have you ever heard about jai alai? This interesting Basque sport used to have a home in Mambaling, now it's all gone. What happened?
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