Sports

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Ana Marie Aguilar in action during the ICTSI Negros Junior PGT Championship at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club on Tuesday *Contributed photoHomegrown talent Ana Marie Aguilar topped the girls' 7-10 division in the ICTSI Negros Junior PGT Championship at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City on Tuesday, June 9, to secure a place in the Elite Finals.She carded a final-round 82 and a 158 total, capping an incredible two-week blitz after dominating the Bacolod leg in Murcia last week. Vanya Go had an 85 for a 159, while Jia Ho had an 81 to tie Zoey Mascariñas, who faltered with an 84, at 165.“I definitely felt the pressure when I fell one or two down, but I just stayed confident and focused on my game,” said the 10-year-old Aguilar from St. Schola...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson during the sendoff of the Palarong Pambansa athletes in May.* Richard Malihan photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government will distribute cash incentives this week to the province's winning athletes from the recent Palarong Pambansa.Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced that gold medalists will receive ₱15,000 each, silver medalists will get ₱8,000 each, and bronze medalists will take home ₱5,000.Athletes who won in team events will also receive their respective incentives individually.Lacson expressed satisfaction with the delegation's performance, particularly in athletics. He attributed this success to the provincial government’s dedicated athletics program based at the Panaad Stadium."The results show we should continue with i...

The Gilas Pilipinas girls capture the gold in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Southeast Asia Basketball Association qualifiers that culminated Saturday night (June 6, 2026) at STI West Negros University in Bacolod City.*PNA/Nanette Guadalquiver photoThe Gilas Pilipinas girls booked a ticket to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026 after sweeping the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) qualifiers held from June 2 to 6 at STI West Negros University Gym here.On Saturday night, the Philippines defeated Indonesia, 88-62, to cap a four-game unbeaten run in the five-nation tournament.In a post-match interview, Gilas Women Youth head coach Alexander "Sandy" Arespacochaga took pride in the Gilas girls' determination to not only win, but also to play well."I'm very happy na ganu...

Mhark Fernando III at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Friday.*Pilipinas Golf photoZamboagueño Mhark Fernando III secured the ICTSI Bacolod Junior PGT Championship, beating local favorite Eddie Gonzales Jr. by one stroke at Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Friday, June 5.He carded a 73 for a 154 total, while Gonzales posted a 71 to finish at 155.“I stayed patient and just played my game. When the situation got tough, I didn't force things," Fernando, the son of a former national champion and touring pro, said in a news release.“After I double-bogeyed the 10th, I got nervous, but I just calmed myself down, focused on hitting fairways and greens, and settled for two-putts,” he added.Fernando locked down a crucial 15 points, hiking his total to 33. He jumped from joint...