Sports

The site inspection of the Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental, one of the official venues of the inaugural edition of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in November this year.*Victorias City PIO photoVictorias City in Negros Occidental on Tuesday bared ongoing preparations for hosting the inaugural edition of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in November this year.Mayor Abelardo Bantug III on Monday, July 14, led the meeting with representatives of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Philippine Football Federation (PFF), and Homeworld Construction “to discuss preparations and iron out a few concerns,” the city government said in an update.Staff of the City Engineering Office toured them during the site inspection of the Victorias City Coliseum...

Mayor Marina "Mayette" Javellana-Yao and the 1st Bago City Sports Summit participants.* Bago PIO photoThe 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 buildin...

Mayor Marina “Mayette” Javellana-Yao with the  Bago City Softball Team* Bago PIO photoMayor Marina “Mayette” Javellana-Yao on Tuesday, July 8, lauded the Bago City Softball Team for bringing pride and honor to the city as they prepare to represent the Philippines in the 2025 Senior League Softball World Series in Delaware, USA.The tournament is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 3.The Bagonhon softbelles recently secured their berth in the global competition by dominating the Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament held in Indonesia.The team showcased an impressive performance, remaining undefeated across all six games to clinch the championship title.The squad is predominantly comprised of students from Ramon Torres National High Sc...

The Philippine Senior Softball Team, represented by athletes from Bago City in Negros Occidental, won the championship in the Senior Softball League Asia Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in West Java, Indonesia, that ended Saturday, June 28, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.Undefeated in all six games, the team from Bago City will advance to the Senior Softball League World Series 2025 in Delaware USA, July 28 to August 3, he said.With two home runs, the Philippine Senior Softball Team finished strong in Game 6 with a 21-0 win over Guam, Diaz said.*

Sophia Lacson (center) flanked by her coaches and mentors, Natasha Herjawan (left) and Camilla Lastrilla-Curto (right).*Young athlete Sophia Begre-Lacson recently finished in 8th place out of 39 riders in the 0.95–1.05 meter category of the National Showjumping Competition at the Jakarta Equestrian Park in Indonesia.Many of her fellow competitors were professionals riding their own horses or long-time partners, yet Begre-Lacson stood out for her composure and quick adaptation on leased horse, Mopalia.The weekend prior, she topped the 1-meter category at a club-level show, earning 1st place in only her second week of training.Working with borrowed or leased horses is much harder than riding your own horse that riders work with year round. Not always do rider and horse match,...

Negros Occidental’s athletes won the most gold medals for Western Visayas, which was the third place winner at the just concluded Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, June 2.Western Visayas won 44 gold medals, 18 of which were won by athletes from Negros Occidental, Lacson said.Iloilo athletes won 15 of the gold medals, Aklan – 8, Capiz - 2 and Antique – 1.The WV delegation, composed of athletes from Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras, also won 52 silver and 58 bronze medals.All Negrense medalists will receive cash incentives from the provincial government this week. Gold medalists will be awarded ₱10,000, silver medalists ₱7,000, and bronze medalists ₱4,500.Athletes who have set new records in various ...

The Western Visayas DepEd officials at the awarding rites.*Western Visayas was the third place winner in the 65th Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte that ended Saturday, May 31.The WV delegation, which included athletes from Negros Occidental, won 44 golds, bolstered by championships in the elementary girls' softball and secondary boys' baseball.The National Capital Region (NCR) once again emerged as the overall champion with an impressive haul of 117 gold, 70 silver, and 50 bronze medals.The NCR's gold medal haul included 36 in gymnastics and 19 in swimming, courtesy of Titus Rafael Sia and Sophia Rose Garra, who won seven each in the elementary division, and Patricia Mae Santor, who had five in the secondary division.Calabarzon placed second overall with 47 golds, hig...

The Loyola FC-Victorias booters with coaching staff and club owner Keith Buyco (left) at the Meet and Greet event  at the  Victorias City National High School on Tuesday.*Nico Delfin photo It will be tremendous pressure for the Loyola FC-Victorias standouts as they represent Victorias City and Negros Occidental in the Philippine Football League 2025 season."I know there's a lot of pressure that comes with it because the fans are unbelievable," said team captain Curt Dizon who played for the Ceres-Negros FC champions in 2018.His former club currently named (United City FC) was a four-time PFL champion and Asian Football Confederation Asean Zonal League champion in 2018."I'm hoping that we can get that back. We can build something great again. That was amazing. Big things to ...

Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez led the inauguration of the Victorias City Football Pitch at the   Victorias National High School on Friday, March 7, which he said is the first FIFA-grade 11-a-side turf football field in Western Visayas."This pitch is more than just a field. It's a training ground for dreams, a home for champions, and a symbol of our commitment to the future of football," Benitez said.Benitez, who was joined by  Brazilian-Japanese model and footballer Daniel Matsunaga, said football is the world’s most popular sport and one where Filipinos have the potential to shine globally.Also present at the inauguration were officials and representatives from the City, Philippine Football Federation (PFF), the Negros Occidental Regional...

The Division of Bacolod City was the overall champion in the Palarong Panlalawigan held at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.Bacolod City bested 12 other divisions in Negros Occidental province by bringing home 279 medals, including 117 gold, 93 silver, and 69 bronze medals on Saturday, Feb. 1.In second place was the Division of Negros Occidental with 220 medals, including 65 gold, 77 silver, and 78 bronze medals.In third place was the Kabankalan Division with 55 medals, including 19 gold, 11 silver, and 25 bronze medals, and La Carlota with 55 including 16 gold, 19 silver, and 20 bronze medals.Bago City brought home 50, including 10 gold, 22 silver, and 18 bronze medals, and in fifth place was Cadiz City with 41 medals. including 15 gold, 10 silver, and 16 bronz...