Sports

Jul202026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Sagay City softbelles win 2026 PONY World Series title

Team Philippines from Sagay City in Negros Occidental * Sagay City Tourism and Information Office photoSagay City in Negros Occidental won the championship in the Girls 14 Under Division of the 2026 PONY International Softball World Series held in McAllen, Texas in the United States on Monday (Philippine time).The Negrense softbelles swept Mexico’s RXII Kino Team in the finals to clinch the title after finishing only fourth in last year’s tournament.“Rising above more than 30 teams, our young athletes battled through 11 games from the elimination round to the championship,” Sagay City OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Dannie Clark Uguil said in a Facebook post.Uguil said the Negrense student-athletes’ “remarkable achievement reflects the power of teamwork, discipline, res...

Jul202026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Spain dethrones Argentina to win 2026 FIFA World Cup

Sports

Spain dethroned incumbent champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time Sunday to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium in the US.Spain looked the more adventurous side throughout the opening half. Lamine Yamal forced an early save from Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with their best chance so far, while Lionel Messi kept unusually quiet.It turned out to be a cagey first half in New Jersey, with the two sides heading into the break goalless. The European champions did an excellent job of containing Messi, limiting Argentina to no attempts on goal.Spain produced some slick passages of one-touch football before the interval, carving through Argentina's midfield on several occasions, but the defending champions emerged with far greater intensity after the resta...

Jun302026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

100 players compete in Marapara Rotary golf tournament; Limjap, Torre named champions

Sports

Overall champions Joemarie Limjap (left) and Nicolo Torre with tournament chairman Mike Bantug*About 100 golfers participated over the weekend in the 25th annual Rotary "Golf for a Cause" tournament held at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.The event serves as the primary fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Bacolod-Marapara, with proceeds funding the organization’s annual community outreach programs, a press release from the club said. These initiatives include medical missions, coastal clean-ups, feeding programs, school supply distributions, computer literacy projects, mangrove planting, and eco-tourism support."This year’s tournament was outstanding, with excellent golf and the unwavering generosity of our sponsors and players," said tournament chairman and ...

Jun242026 by Nanette GuadalquiverNo Comments

Bacolod aims to open P850M coliseum for Batang Pinoy 2026

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Mayor Greg Gasataya is optimistic about getting the sports facilities in Bacolod ready for the city's hosting of the Batang Pinoy 2026 in December, particularly the Bacolod MassKara Coliseum.As of Wednesday, the PHP850-million indoor arena located at the boundary of Alijis and Tangub is under construction, with 76 percent completion reported this June.In a statement, Gasataya said the coliseum is expected to be completed in the third quarter of the year.“Bacolod is all in when it comes to hosting Batang Pinoy,” he said.Gasataya joined the Philippine Sports Commission officials led by Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, as well as executives from the Department of Education and Department of the Interior and Local Government, in sharing preparation updates duri...

Jun242026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

PSC, Bacolod ‘All In’ for Batang Pinoy 2026 in December

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The crime scene in Pontevedra*The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has expressed full confidence in the Bacolod City’s readiness to host Batang Pinoy 2026 from December 12 to 18.Speaking during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, June 23, at the PSC Main Building inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, PSC Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio highlighted the strong partnership between the PSC and Bacolod City in staging Batang Pinoy and other sports development initiatives, a Bacolod City Communications Office press release said.“That’s what I always say when asked about the criteria for considering an LGU, a city, or a province to host a PSC event in partnership with DepEd and DILG. It’s important to note how involved the mayor a...

Jun222026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Negrense rider wins gold at Asia-Pacific Rising Star Academy in Thailand

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Sophia Louie Begre-Lacson in Thailand*Seventeen-year-old Filipino showjumping athlete Sophia Louie Begre-Lacson delivered an outstanding performance for the Philippines at the second leg of the FEI Asia-Pacific Rising Star Academy (APRA) held in Pattaya, Thailand, from June 15 to 20, capturing first place in the morning competition and finishing fourth in the afternoon’s jump-off class.Representing the Philippines as the country’s sole rider in the prestigious regional development program, Sophia competed against some of Asia-Pacific’s most promising young equestrians in the Academy’s CSIY-B competitions, her mother Antoinette Begre-Lacson said Monday, June 22.The final competition day featured two classes: a Two-Phase CSIY-B in the morning and a CSIY-B with Jump-Off in the aft...

Jun182026 by Carla P. GomezNo Comments

Bacolod honors Palarong Pambansa 2026 medalists with P1.7M in cash incentives, triple-gold swimmer Secuelan leads awardees

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The Bacolod City government released cash incentives on Thursday morning, June 18, to honor the 284-strong delegation of athletes, coaches, trainers, and chaperones who represented the city in the Palarong Pambansa 2026.A total of P1.782 million was allocated for 54 medalists, 48 coaches, trainers, and chaperones, and 133 non-placers from Bacolod City who represented the Negros Island Region in the national competition held in Agusan del Sur from May 24 to 31..“We know that bringing home medals was not easy. But the mere fact that you represented the region is more than enough, and for that, we are proud of what you have accomplished,” Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said.The cash rewards serve as a tribute to the team's hard work and sacrifices, which brought pri...

Jun162026 by Mark L. GarciaNo Comments

Cadiznon artist creates Rene Baterbonia’s portrait using bleach on black shirt

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Rogelio Agupasa holds up his bleach art.*Contributed photoA charcoal artist from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, has found an unusual way to honor the late basketball standout Rene Baterbonia using bleach instead of paint.Rogelio Agupasa, 39, of Brgy. Tiglawigan, Cadiz City, transformed a plain black shirt into a portrait of Baterbonia using household bleach, creating an image that has since drawn admiration online and inquiries from people hoping to buy the artwork.Agupasa, who has been practicing art since elementary school and has worked as an artist for more than three decades, said the piece took about four hours to complete on June 11.Instead of charcoal, pencils, or paint, Agupasa used bleach to gradually bring out the image on the fabric.He first created a grid a...

Jun122026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Bacolod highlights youth at Independence Day rites

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Brianna Nikola Ang (6th from left) with the Bacolod City officials led by Mayor Greg Gasataya (7th from left) at the Bacolod Independence Day rites.*Ronnie Baldonado photoMayor Greg Gasataya emphasized that unity and courage helped Filipino revolutionaries win freedom and remain essential in addressing today’s challenges at the 128th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Bacolod City on Friday, June 12. “We enjoy freedom because of the courage and unity of our ancestors,” he said.Gasataya added that patriotism today means serving others with honesty, compassion, and dedication to the common good, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.Gasataya also highlighted the important role of the youth in nation-building, citing guest speaker...

Jun112026 by Digicast NegrosNo Comments

Brianna Ang to join Bacolod’s 128th Independence Day celebration at BCGC

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The youth will take center stage in Bacolod City’s 128th Independence Day celebration at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Friday, June 12, with volleyball standout Brianna Nikola Ang joining the event.Ang, captain of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School volleyball team that won the Palarong Pambansa championship in 2024, will be among the featured guests.This year’s celebration carries the theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, at Kasaysayan” and aims to give young people a platform to express their ideas and aspirations, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office, said.Councilor Homer Bais, chair of the Adlaw sang Paghanduraw Celebration Committee, said this year’s Independence Day program will differ from previous commemorations by highlighting the role ...