Five years ago, a dream for our youth started to take shape in my heart. That dream envisioned a school where Filipino athletes do not have to choose between pursuing their academics and athletic achievement, an institution where no endeavor is sacrificed in pursuit of the other. That dream is now the National Academy of Sports, established through Republic Act No. 11470, a law which I authored and co-sponsored.

Last 19 June, with the Student-Athletes Convocation with Executive Director Joy Reyes, we celebrated the 5th Founding Anniversary of NAS at its campus in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac. What was once a dream has now become a cornerstone of Philippine sports development programs.

Being the Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth, and an athlete myself, I am immensely overwhelmed and proud to see how far the NAS has come and how strong its potential is to produce student-athletes who flourish in academics and sports.

At present, key agencies are discussing the possibility of regionalizing the NAS, with the vision of providing the same opportunity for student-athletes in Visayas and Mindanao. This is part of my dream to bring specialized sports education closer to our underprivileged youth.

I am equally proud that during the 18th and 19th Congresses, we made historic strides in the global sporting arena. In 2020, we achieved our first-ever gold in the Tokyo Olympics courtesy of Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting. Two more gold medals were brought home from the 2024 Paris Olympics by champion gymnast Carlos Yulo. Aira Villegas also clinched a bronze medal in the women’s 50kg Boxing Division and Nesthy Petecio bagged bronze in the women’s 57kg Boxing Division, both in the 2024 Olympics.

In the 2022 Asian Games held in China in 2023, due to the COVID pandemic, Filipino athletes pushed themselves to the limit. Gilas Pilipinas, our national basketball team, were champions of the hardcourt for the first time since 1962. Elite pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and Jiu-Jitsu champions Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez also won first place for a total of 4 Asian Games gold medals for the Philippines, with 2 silver and 12 bronze medals.

Also in 2023, we hauled in a total of 52 gold medals and placed 4th in the 31st Southeast Asian Games as Gilas Pilipinas blew away the competition. Other highlights were Obiena, Ochoa, Arnel Mandal in Wushu, Jack Escarpe in Kurash, and Fernando Caseras in triathlon, to name a few, as they all bagged gold medals.

Our paralympic athletes also continue to inspire us with the same dedication as our other elite athletes.

In the same spirit as NAS, we will continue to support Philippine sports development and push for the allocation of additional funds to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) so that no athlete is left behind. My dream now is to see our NAS graduates waving the Philippine flag in the Olympics and other global competitions, not just as competitors but as champions. Let us encourage our youth to get into sports and stay away from drugs to stay healthy and fit.

Meanwhile, on 16 June, we led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Super Health Center in Initao, Misamis Oriental, with Mayor Grace Acain, before we went to Iligan City to provide assistance to 348 Typhoon Kristine victims with totally damaged houses. They also received one-time emergency shelter support to help them rebuild their homes via a national government program that I pushed for and advocated. After this, we then joined the 75th Araw ng Iligan celebration with Mayor Frederick Siao.

As the Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance and a member of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, we supported the project of the University of the Philippines – Mindanao’s new School of Management Building and attended its inauguration in Davao City with Chancellor Professor Lyre Murao on June 17.

On 18 June, we visited the 68 fire victims in Mandaue City, Cebu. We then graced the Philippine Councilors’ League - Region VII Term-End Assembly with Chairman Councilor Mark Aurelia.

On 21 June, we attended the Greenwoods Executive Village 50U Basketball League Opening.

To further extend our help in the grassroots level, the Malasakit Team also extended their efforts to the Filipinos as they immediately aided 96 fire victims in Iligan City, and 148 in Cagayan de Oro City.

A total of 93 fire victims were given additional assistance in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. These beneficiaries also received aid from the national government to procure materials for their homes to rebuild and recover.

We then supported 203 scholars from various universities in Metro Manila. We also attended the Technical Vocation Graduation in partnership with the Call Center Academy in Cebu City, where we gave gifts to 125 graduates. We also witnessed the J.H. Cerilles State College – Dumingag Campus 26th Commencement Exercises in Zamboanga del Sur, and Caraga State University – Cabadbaran Campus 27th Commencement Exercises.

The Malasakit Team also joined the turnover of the bridge in Brgy. Tambis, Barobo, Surigao del Sur, with outgoing Mayor Joey Pama and the turnover of the Super Health Center in Maasim, Sarangani, and its 56th Founding Anniversary with Mayor Zyrex Pacquiao.

As your Mr. Malasakit, I will never get tired of pushing for more programs that strengthen our sports sector. As long as I have the strength to serve, I will continue to do so for the Filipino people dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.