Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, welcomed Asian Games Gold medalists Ernest John Obiena, Margarita 'Meggie' Ochoa and Annie Ramirez, as well as Bronze Medalist Kaila Napolis as they visited his Senate office on Wednesday, October 11.

The meeting follows the athletes' remarkable achievements in the recently concluded 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Go congratulated the athletes, and acknowledged their hard work and dedication, in bringing honor to the country.

"Your achievements are a source of pride for the entire nation. Ipinamalas ninyo sa buong mundo ang pusong Pilipino na lumalaban hanggang dulo. Never say die! Sana ay maging inspirasyon kayo ng ating kababayan upang magpursige sa anumang larangan na nais nilang magtagumpay sa buhay," said Go.

During their visit to the Senate, Jui-Jitsu medalists Ochoa, Ramirez and Napolis were joined by their coaches Stephen Kamphuis, John Baylon and Allan Co as well as other athletes who won medals in past competitions such as Marc Alexander Lim – 2023 SEA Games Gold, Kimberly Anne Custodio – World Championship Silver, Daniela Palanca – World Championship Bronze, Santino Luzuriaga – World Championship Silver, Jollerine Co – World Championship Bronze, and Dean Roxas – 2019 SEA games gold.

Also joining Obiena were his mother Maria Jeanette Obiena as well as Philippine Sports Commission Chair Richard Bachmann and Executive Director Paulo Tatad.

In a brief meeting with Go, they discussed various concerns of athletes such as the need to renovate sports facilities, provide additional support to other athletes competing in international competitions, as well as increased funding for grassroots sports programs.

"Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Sports, taus-puso tayong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng ating mga manlalaro, coaches, national sports associations at mga staff, gayundin sa Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission at iba pang ahensya, kasama na lalo ang tulong ng pribadong sektor, na nagtrabaho para suportahan ang ating delegasyon," Go earlier said.

Earlier this week, the senator filed Senate Resolution No. 825, congratulating the Philippine team for their commendable performance in the 19th Asian Games. The resolution acknowledges the athletes' achievements and their contribution to elevating the country's standing in the international sports arena.

"Pinupuri natin ang ating mga manlalaro na ibinibigay ang lahat para itaas ang bandila ng Pilipinas sa ginaganap na kumpetisyon. Sa ating parte naman, patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang kanilang kapakanan upang mas marami pang atletang Pilipino ang magtagumpay," he added.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has earlier advocated for increased funding for the country's sports programs. He revealed that last year's proposed budget for the Philippine Sports Commission was approximately P200 million. However, he together with fellow lawmakers pushed for an additional P1 billion, thereby significantly enhancing the financial support for athletes participating in international competitions including the recent 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and Asian Games in China, as well as for grassroots sports programs.

Go emphasized the importance of grassroots sports development, saying, "Tinututukan din natin ang grassroots sports development upang mahubog ang mga kabataan nasaan man sila sa bansa na nagnanais na sumabak sa mga pambansa at pandaigdigang palaro."

In line with this, he highlighted his role as author and co-sponsor of Republic Act 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Tarlac. "Ang NAS ay nagbibigay ng de-kalidad na edukasyon at sports training sa mga batang may potensyal na maging world-class athletes," he added.

Additionally, Go filed SBN 423, or the Philippine National Games (PNG) Act, to institutionalize a national platform for athletes, especially the youth, to showcase their talents if enacted into law.

"More importantly, promoting sports will help mold our youth to be productive citizens and keep them away from vices like illegal drugs. As I have always said, 'get into sports, stay away from drugs, and keep healthy and fit!' ," he said.

During the recent Asian Games, Obiena secured the country's first gold medal in the games, setting a new Asian Games record of 5.90m in pole vaulting. In the realm of martial arts, Ochoa and Ramirez clinched a gold medal in the women's 48kgs and 57kgs Jiu-Jitsu competitions, respectively.

Among the notable gold medalists was the national basketball team, "Gilas Pilipinas," which captured the country's first men's basketball gold medal since 1962.

The silver medalists were Arnel Mandal for men's 56kg wushu and Eumir Felix Marcial for men's 80kg boxing.

The bronze medalists, spanning a range of sports, were equally impressive. Aside from Napolis for Jiu-Jitsu, Patrick King Perez won in men's individual poomsae, while Alexandra Eala earned medals in both women's singles and mixed doubles alongside Francis Casey Alcantara. Other bronze medalists are Jones Llabres Inso in wushu's men's taijiquan / taijijian all-around, Gideon Fred Padua and Clemente Tabugara Jr. also in wushu, Patrick Bren Coo in men's BMX racing, Elreen Ann Ando in women's 64kg weightlifting, and Sakura Alforte in women's individual kata in karate. The men's quadrant and regu teams in sepak takraw also contributed to the bronze medal tally.