Bong Go co-sponsors resolutions honoring showbiz icons

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday co-sponsored Senate resolutions honoring key figures in Philippine cinema and congratulated actress Judy Ann Santos for her recent international award.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Go endorsed a resolution congratulating Santos for winning best actress at the 45th Fantasporto Film Festival in Portugal.

“Mr. President, I want to manifest my desire to co-sponsor the resolution congratulating Ms. Judy Ann Santos for winning best actress for the 45th Fantasporto Film Festival in Portugal,” Go said. He added a personal note, “Naging kaibigan ko rin po ang kaniyang kapatid na si Jeffrey. 14 years old pa lang po ako noon, magkaibigan na po kami. Taga-Caloocan po sila.”

Go also co-sponsored condolences for the recent deaths of National Artist Nora Aunor and revered industry figures Ricky Davao, Pilita Corrales, and Gloria Romero.

“Mr. President, I also want to co-sponsor and associate myself with the resolutions offering our deepest sympathy on the death of the National Artist Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, Pilita Corrales, and Gloria Romero,” he said.

Reflecting on Aunor’s legacy, Go described her as “a luminary and a true icon who defined an era” and recalled their friendship. “Kaya po siya ginawaran ni dating Pangulong Duterte ng titulo ng National Artist. Isa pong karangalan na maging kaibigan ko po si Ma’am Nora Aunor,”

Go also shared his family’s close ties with the entertainment industry and his admiration for fellow lawmakers with showbiz backgrounds, including Senators Robin Padilla, Bong Revilla, Ipe Salvador, and Joseph Estrada’s sons Jinggoy and JV Ejercito.

He recounted humorous moments with Senator Lito Lapid and expressed pride in working alongside former actors in the Senate.

Go paid tribute to Ricky Davao and his father Charlie Davao, longtime friends of his mother, and praised Pilita Corrales as a “legendary Filipina singer” and Gloria Romero as a “magaling na aktres at veteran actress.”

Go is a co-author and co-sponsor of the Eddie Garcia Law, which aims to provide protection and benefits to film and television workers. He is also pushing for the Media and Entertainment Workers Bill (Senate Bill No. 1183) to institutionalize safeguards for the sector.

The senator has served on the Metro Manila Film Festival Executive Committee for six years and advocates for expanding film festivals to boost opportunities for local filmmakers and industry workers.