Bong Go lauds Filipino athletes' global triumphs, renews call for sports support

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, warmly welcomed Filipino athletes to the Senate in a double celebration of recent international victories in basketball and chess.

Go first paid tribute to the Pilipinas 45-Up Basketball Team, who clinched the gold medal at the 2025 World Masters Games in Taiwan, held from 17 to 31 May. Recognizing their hard-earned win, Go personally congratulated the team and highlighted the pride they brought to the country.

“These are the players who recently became champions in Taiwan,” Go said, as he addressed the team, including Team Manager Reynaldo Punongbayan, Assistant Manager Dick Victor Carmona, and Head Coach Arlene Rodriguez with assistant coaches Dann Michael Caneba, Albert Valbuena, and Diego Padua.

Among the roster of athletes celebrated were Justice Midas Marquez, Gilbert Malabanan, Roger Yap, Estong Ballesteros, Oliver Agapito, Rendell dela Rea, Romel David, Guiness Nabung, Milo Bonifacio, Edwin Manabat, Ricky Ricafuente, Arvin Aguila, Paul Reguera, and Marlon Basco.

“Congratulations muli sa ating Pilipinas 45-Up Basketball Team for winning the 2025 World Masters Games in Taiwan,” Go said, emphasizing that their victory brings honor that money cannot buy. “Kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo. Ang karangalang dala ninyo ay hindi matutumbasan.”

Filipino chess legend Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. was also honored by Go at the Senate. Antonio won four gold medals at the 23rd ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships held in Malaysia last July and placed second in the rapid event at the Melbourne International Chess Open in April 2025.

“Nandito po ngayon kami sa Senado. Nire-recognize po ang ating legendary sa chess na si Rogelio Antonio,” Go said. “Apat na golds... Congratulations!”

Antonio expressed gratitude to Go for his consistent support.
“Maraming salamat po sa ating minamahal na senador – mula Australia po hanggang Taipei siya po ang sumuporta sa akin,” he said.

The Grandmaster is now preparing to compete in the World Seniors Chess Championships in Italy, with support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Go’s office.

Senator Go took the opportunity to reiterate his long-standing advocacy for sports development, especially from the grassroots level. He has authored and co-sponsored several key bills:

• Republic Act No. 11470, which created the National Academy of Sports (NAS) to offer student-athletes a specialized education while developing their skills.

• Senate Bill No. 171, seeking to establish regional NAS campuses in the Visayas and Mindanao.

• Senate Bill No. 407, to amend the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act to better support para-athletes.

• Senate Bill No. 413, the Philippine National Games Act, to institutionalize nationwide grassroots sports competition.

• Senate Bill No. 678, the National Tertiary Games Act, to formalize college-level sports tournaments.

Go also secured funding for sports facility improvements, including upgrades to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Philsports Arena, and emphasized the need for adequate training venues, equipment, nutrition, and mental health services for athletes.

“Asahan po ninyo ang aking full support,” he said, citing the historic milestones Philippine sports achieved under his chairmanship.

“Iniengganyo ko nga ang lahat, bata man o matanda, to get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” Go added.