The 1st Bago City Sports Summit, aimed at bringing back the glory days of sports in the city, was held at the Bago Community Center on Wednesday, July 9.
Mayor Marina “Mayette” Javellana-Yao, in her message, said “We believe that every child kicking or holding a ball, every youth practicing under the heat of the sun, every coach who never gives up, each one carries a dream worth believing in”.
“Today, we stand united to say: we see you, we support you, and we will walk with you”, she said.
Reaffirming her commitment to revitalizing sports in Bago, the mayor emphasized that the summit represents a shared dedication to creating opportunities, strengthening support, and building a community where sports are a way of life, filled with passion, discipline, and purpose, she added.
“The 1st Bago City Sports Summit is a momentous gathering that reflects not just our love for sports, but our genuine care for the dreams of our people in the field of sports”, she said.
The summit brought together athletes, coaches, educators, and other stakeholders from the sports community.
Among the attendees was Jose “Boy” Montalbo, a prominent sports development advocate known for nurturing numerous sports champions in the province, including the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts Volleybelles.
Montalbo presented recommendations to the local government after assessing the city’s sports facilities, assuring his assistance in Bago’s sports development. He particularly underscored the critical need for adequate venues and equipment.
The lack of suitable venues, sports equipment, and even finances were also among the key concerns and challenges raised by coaches during the summit’s open forum.
Javellana-Yao said a sports committee, headed by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Julianae Lavadia, who was also present at the summit, will gather all these concerns along with Montalbo’s recommendations.
“Through this summit, we were able to lend our ears to the needs of the athletes here in Bago. Our youth is really a priority; we will try to support them the best way we could,” she said.
As the “boxing capital of the Philippines,” Bago City has a proud history of producing exceptional boxers, including Olympians Leopoldo Cantancio, Roel Velasco, Isidro Visera Jr., Reynaldo Galido, Mansueto Velasco Jr., Virgilio Vicera, Larry Semillano, and Rogen Ladon, as well as champions James Palicte, Arthur Villanueva, Aston Palicte, and Joepher Montaño.
Among the initial steps the city government will take is the development of boxing in Barangay Ma-ao through the establishment of a training center, with the help of James Palicte and other Bagonhon boxers.
Beyond boxing, Bagonhons are making significant strides in other sports, including softball, swimming, baseball, football, and athletics.
In 2023, the Bago City Softball Team achieved international recognition by winning the championship title in the Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington, USA.
The team will once again represent the city and country on July 28 as they compete in the 2025 Senior League Softball World Series in Delaware, USA.
For volleyball, Javellana-Yao is advocating for the development of beach volleyball at Bantayan Park in Barangay Poblacion.
An upcoming exhibition game between the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts and selected volleyball players from Bago City is also planned.
The mayor is also keen on the institutionalization of incentives for student-athletes in the city through an ordinance to be championed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Youth Development and Sports, chaired by Lavadia.
“I am really hopeful that with Jose Montalbo backing us up, knowing his passion for sports, the future is bright for sports in Bago,” the mayor said, as she urged strong support and continued collaboration from all stakeholders.*