TUF Barbershop, the Cebu-based grooming brand known for its clean cuts and strong community reputation, is celebrating its 11th anniversary with its first-ever community fitness event. The TUF Barbershop 11th Anniversary Run will take place on September 12, 2026, at the scenic waterfront stretch of Mandani Bay in Mandaue City, one day before the company's actual founding anniversary on September 13.
From One Chair to a Regional Brand
What started as a single barbershop in September 2015 has grown into one of the most recognizable grooming names in Visayas and Mindanao. TUF now operates 29 branches across Cebu and 10 more spread throughout VisMin, with a Makati branch set to open in July 2026, marking its first major expansion into Metro Manila. The brand has also been recognized as a SunStar Best of Cebu Grand Slam Winner for Best Barbershop, solidifying its status as a top grooming destination in the region.
The brand was founded by four entrepreneurs: Stuart Wayne Violanda, RJ/Reece Quiambao, J Lanete III, and Ken Cuizon. They turned a single shop into a regional name through consistency and community trust rather than flashy marketing.
Why a Fun Run?
For a barbershop chain, an anniversary fun run might seem like an unusual choice. But for Chief Executive Officer Violanda, it was a deliberate move. “We wanted to do something different and meaningful to celebrate our 11th anniversary,” he explained. “A fun run is the perfect activity because it brings people together, encourages a healthy lifestyle, and allows participants to enjoy a memorable experience with family and friends.”
The event aligns with TUF's philosophy that grooming and wellness are connected. “At TUF, we believe good health and good grooming go hand in hand,” Violanda said. “We have always been committed to helping our clients look and feel their best. Through this event, we hope to inspire more people to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while celebrating this milestone with us.”
To handle logistics, TUF partnered with Joel Juarez of Coco Running, a well-known name in Cebu's running scene, to manage race operations and ensure organizational credibility.
Four Distances for Everyone
The race lineup includes four distances: 1.1K, 3K, 5K, and 11K, catering to both seasoned runners and families. Each registration includes an official shirt, finisher's medal, race bib, post-race meal, and a raffle stub.
Cash prizes are offered for top finishers. The 1.1K and 3K categories award P800 each to the top three. The 5K offers P2,500, P2,000, and P1,500 for first through third place. The 11K event carries the largest purse: P3,000, P2,500, and P2,000 for the top three.
Organizers also promise side activities, entertainment, and special anniversary surprises for runners and spectators at Mandani Bay.
Registration Details
Registration opens July 1 at 1:11 PM, both online and on-site, a numerical nod to the brand's playful attention to detail. For a company that has spent over a decade perfecting haircuts, the anniversary run feels like a natural extension of its commitment to the community—one milestone at a time, whether behind the chair or at the starting line.
