Sports

Sophia Louie Begre-Lacson*Sixteen-year-old showjumping athlete Sophia Louie Begre-Lacson has been officially selected to represent the Philippines in the prestigious Asia-Pacific Rising Star Academy (APRA), an elite development program under the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Regional Group VIII.The Asia-Pacific Rising Star Academy is a one-year strategic talent identification and high-performance development program designed to bridge the gap between national competition and international elite sport.Only 12 riders in the region are selected to participate in the Academy, making Lacson’s inclusion a significant achievement for both her and Philippine equestrian sport.For Lacson, this opportunity carries even deeper meaning.Raised on Negros Island, Lacson's jo...

Former sports commissioner and current weightlifting president Monico Puentevella*Five leading figures who played a major part in shaping Philippine sports will be feted with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the San Miguel Corp. - Philippine Sportswriters Association 2025 Awards Night at the Diamond Hotel Manila on Feb. 16.The Lifetime Achievers are former sports commissioner and current weightlifting president Monico Puentevella, the 1991 Philippine Davis Cup team, boxing’s beloved Elorde family, officiating guru Romeo “Romy” Guevara, and Woman National Master Milagros “Mila” Emperado.Puentevella, 79, served as commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (1996-2001) before becoming the head of the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas. It was under his leadership that th...

Student-athletes aged 6 to 25 years old competed*The Bacolod City government officially launched the 1st Mayor Greg Gasataya Bacolod Invitational Karatedo Competition, bringing together more than 300 young karatekas from various schools and clubs across the country on Sunday, Dec. 21..Student-athletes aged 6 to 25 years old competed in kata and kumite events under novice and advanced categories at SM City Bacolod, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.Gasataya emphasized the importance of developing grassroots sports competitions to encourage greater youth participation, as the city prepares to host major national events, including the Batang Pinoy next year.“We’ve been doing all the preparations in line with hosting Batang Pinoy in October 2026,” Gas...

Executive Assistant Rhett Demonteverde, Councilor Jason Villarosa, Palarong Pambansa hurdler Mico Villaran, Mayor Greg Gasataya, Alas Pilipinas U-19 outside hitter Rhose Vhianne Almendralejo, and Palarong Pambansa Sports Idol Brianna Nikola Ang (l-r) during the Pasidungog Awards.*Mayor Greg Gasataya commended outstanding student-athletes and academic topnotchers during the 2025 Pasidungog Para sa Dalayawon nga mga Atleta kag Estudyante held at the Bacolod City Government Center on Friday, December 12.More than 113 awardees were recognized, including medalists from the Batang Pinoy, Palarong Pambansa, and various international and prestigious sports competitions, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.The city also honored 19 board examination topnotch...

Executive Assistant Rhett Demonteverde, City Administrator Mark Mayo, Councilor Jason Villarosa, Girl Councilor Martha Agulan, Boy Mayor Humphrey Bayot and Mayor Greg Gasataya with PSE President Michael Herrera, Event Director Rachelle Villarosa, Pacifico Maghari III, Architect Cris Laino, and City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu (l-r) during the presentation of the proposed Sports Expo next year.*Bacolod City is gearing up for another major national sporting event, with the Philippine Sports Expo (PSE) currently in discussions to bring its national competitions to the city in April 2026.Mayor Greg Gasataya has expressed strong interest in hosting the first of its kind sports expo in Bacolod as the city continues to position itself as the sports capital of the region, a press rel...

The Panaad Aquatic Center in Bacolod City owned by the Negros Occidental provincial government will be the first regional training center for swimming in the country, Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) secretary general Eric Buhain said on Sunday, Nov. 17.PAI together with the Negros Occidental provincial government staged the 1st Governor Bong Lacson Swimming Cup participated in by more than 400 swimmers from various local government units in Negros Occidental at the newly opened Pana-ad Aquatic Center on Saturday and Sunday.“This milestone event gathered swimmers, coaches, and officials from across Negros Occidental — marking a strong step forward in elevating grassroots swimming,” the PAI said in a post on its Facebook page on Sunday, Nov. 16.PAI thanked Lacson, Provincial Admi...

PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio handed the ceremonial Batang Pinoy banner to Secretary to the Mayor Jose Marty Go.*The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced the return of the annual Batang Pinoy National Championships to Bacolod City during the closing ceremony of the Batang Pinoy 2025 in General Santos City on Thursday, October 30.PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio confirmed that Bacolod will be the host city for the Batang Pinoy National Championships 2026.It is a "fitting homecoming" for the City of Smiles, which hosted the inaugural Batang Pinoy in 1999 and again in 2001 and 2013, Gregorio said."It is just fitting for Bacolod to host the Batang Pinoy after several years, being among the pioneers of this grassroots sports program," Gregorio said."See you i...

Batang Pinoy 2025 gold medalist Psalm Pampag with coaches Jerry Belibestre, Girlie Inductivo and Miguel Arca (l-r) after capturing Bacolod City’s first gold.*Bagonhon Divine Andrea Pablito bagged the first gold at the ongoing Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships in General Santos City.Pablito recorded 32.19 meters in Women’s Discus Throw earning her the game’s first gold medal. Bago City reported on Sunday, Oct. 26.Bacolod City also earned its first gold medal at the Batang Pinoy on Monday after young sprinter Psalm Pampag ruled the 200-meter dash (16-under girls) event at the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex in Calumpang, General Santos City.Pampag trains under coaches Miguel Arca and Jerry Belibestre of RPMNHS, a school known for producing some of Bacolod’s most promisi...

The Unigames opening on Thursday.* Richard Malihan photo The role of sports in promoting unity was highlighted anew during the opening of the 26th Season of the Philippine University Games (Unigames) at the Capitol Lagoon and Park in Bacolod City on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 23. This year’s edition, which marks the return of Unigames to its home city after 10 years, gathers more than 1,500 athletes and coaches from 41 colleges and universities across the country who will see action in the week-long competitions from Friday, Oct. 24, to  Oct. 30. In his message, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province opens its doors to the nation’s young athletes, noting that sports have always held a special place in the Philippine soc...