FILIPINO ATHLETES SHINE ON THE GLOBAL STAGE WITH ORMOC CITY’S MODERN PENTATHLON FACILITY SUPPORTED BY BONG GO

First Book on Phi­lippine History published in Czech Language, Early Inhabitants until Year 2016. Ormoc City’s modern pentathlon facility, supported by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go in partnership with its local government led by Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, has become a cornerstone for the burgeoning success of Filipino athletes in international competitions. This state-of-the-art facility, strategically situated in Leyte, serves as a crucial training ground where athletes hone their skills across the five disciplines of modern pentathlon: fencing, swimming, show jumping, shooting, and running.

The training environment has paid dividends as Filipino pentathletes continue to excel on the global stage. At the 2024 Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) World Championships held in Zhengzhou, China, from June 7-9, Filipino pentathletes achieved outstanding results.

Melvin Sacay and Juliana Shane Sevilla clinched Gold in the Mixed Relay Junior event, demonstrating their prowess in the sport. Sacay also captured a Silver in the Individual Junior category, while the Mixed Relay Senior team, consisting of Samuel German and Shyra Mae Aranzado, and the Women’s Team Relay team, featuring Sevilla, Aranzado, and Princess Honey Arbilon, each took home Bronze.

Continuing their success, Filipino athletes also shone at the Asian Championships in Hwaesong, Korea, held from April 8-16. Joseph Anthony Godbout and Kylle Aldrich Vilos led the Men’s U19 Team Relay to a Bronze finish. Sacay further demonstrated his skill by winning Gold in the Laser Run Men’s Open.

Additionally, in the UIPM Southeast Asia Championships in Thailand, from April 19-25, Sacay and Sevilla grabbed Gold in the Laser Run Mix Relay, while Godbout and Arbilon topped the Triathle Mix Relay. Individual medals at this event included Silver in the Triathle Women’s Open for Arbilon and both Silver and Bronze in the Biathle events for Vilos and Sheska Rose Dejano.

The previous year, 2023, was just as impressive for the Filipino team. At the UIPM World Championships in Bali, Indonesia, the country collected a series of medals, including Golds by Princess Honey Arbilon in both the Triathle Junior Women and the Biathle Women’s Team Relay alongside Sevilla and Aranzado. The men were not left behind, with Joseph Anthony Godbout securing Silver in the Triathle Men’s U17 and Samuel German and Sevilla earning Silver in the Triathle Mix Senior Relay and Gold in the Laser Men’s Open.

At the UIPM Southeast Asia Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, Filipino athletes continued to excel. Samuel German and Juliana Shane Sevilla won Gold in the Laser Run Mix Relay, with additional Golds by German in the Laser Men’s Open and Joseph Anthony Godbout in the Triathle Men’s Open.

Go, as the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Chairperson of both the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth, has been instrumental in advocating for and securing the necessary funding for such sports facilities.

On June 16 last year, Go participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility, which includes a dedicated fencing hall among other amenities. Additionally, Go has supported the development of a skate park in the city, further boosting local sports infrastructure.

His unwavering support stems from a firm belief in the transformative power of sports to foster national pride and cultivate discipline among the youth.

“Bilang inyong Senador, ang ating suporta sa sports infrastructure ay hindi lamang isang pamumuhunan sa pisikal na mga pasilidad kundi sa mga pangarap ng ating kabataang atleta rin. Ang tagumpay ng ating mga atleta sa modern pentathlon ay patunay na ang ating mga pagsisikap ay nagbubunga ng karangalan para sa bansa,” Go remarked.

He emphasized that these achievements are just the beginning of a broader commitment to sports development.

Go’s dedication to sports extends beyond mere advocacy. He played a key role in creating the National Academy of Sports (NAS) by authoring and co-sponsoring Republic Act No. 11470. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS combines secondary education with a sports-focused curriculum, offering a dual path for student-athletes to excel in their sports and academic endeavors.

In addition to his efforts with NAS, Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2514, the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act. This bill, which successfully passed the Senate on its third and final reading on May 20, seeks to institutionalize a structured national sports program that not only promotes grassroots sports but also aligns with the national sports development strategy by providing opportunites for promising and aspiring athletes to compete in the national stage.

As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Go has been instrumental in securing support for the country’s sports development. He advocated for the repair and improvement of key sports facilities, such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and Philsports Arena in Pasig City, believing that providing athletes with proper training environments, equipment, nutrition, and mental support is essential for their success.

Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.

As Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, Go continues to urge government to prioritize sports engagement among citizens, not only for elite athletes but also for aspiring youth athletes, especially at the grassroots.

“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” he said earlier.