Senator Bong Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, extended his congratulations to Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala for becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam singles match on Day One of the 2025 US Open in New York City, USA.
Go plans to file a Senate resolution commending and congratulating Eala, proudly highlighting her latest achievement in the world of tennis and to advocate for continued investment in Filipino athletes, particularly those coming from the grassroots.
“As chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and on Youth, I am one with the Filipino people and the sports community in congratulating Alexandra Eala for making tennis history for the Philippines,” the veteran legislator said.
“It symbolizes Filipino perseverance, determination, and resilience amid adversity.”
The seasoned lawmaker lauded the victory at the US Open not only as a sporting achievement but also a source of pride and inspiration for young Filipinos, adding that it symbolizes Filipino perseverance, determination, and resilience amid adversity.
The senator then underscored Eala’s triumph and growing international success as a clear demonstration of the potential of Filipino athletes to excel in global competitions, given the right support and opportunities.
This is not the first time Eala has been given a Senate commendation. Recently, she became the first Filipina to reach a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles final in the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open in Great Britain.
Go then urged for unity in pushing forward policies and resources that would boost the potential of Filipino athletes to reach international glory.
“Suportahan po natin ang ating mga atleta at kayang-kaya po natin na mag produce ng marami pang champions.”
“Suportahan po natin ang ating mga atleta at kayang-kaya po natin na mag produce ng marami pang champions,” he declared.
Eala showcased grit and defeated World-ranked #14 Clara Tauson of Denmark in their first round match at the US Open.
Go has long championed the welfare of Filipino athletes through a comprehensive, inclusive, and grassroots-oriented approach to sports development.
At the heart of this advocacy is the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established under Republic Act No. 11470, which Go authored and co-sponsored. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS offers a unique dual-track system combining quality secondary education with a specialized sports curriculum, allowing young student-athletes to pursue academic excellence while developing their athletic talents.
To expand access to this model, Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, seeking to establish regional NAS campuses nationwide, with particular focus on Visayas and Mindanao. These campuses will provide full scholarships and maintain the academic and athletic standards of the main campus to ensure equitable development of sports talent across the country.
In addition, he also filed SBN 407, which seeks to amend RA 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, to ensure inclusive incentives for para-athletes.
Go also filed SBN 413, or the Philippine National Games bill, which if enacted, institutionalizes a nationwide grassroots sports competition that serves as a recruitment platform for National Sports Associations. Meanwhile, SBN 678, also known as the proposed National Tertiary Games Act, aims to formalize a national collegiate multi-sport tournament that will nurture and showcase athletic talent at the tertiary level.
Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Sports in 2019, he has overseen a historic era for Philippine athletics. Under his watch, the country clinched its first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and followed it up with a groundbreaking twin gold victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics—a feat never before achieved in the nation’s sporting history.
“Mabuhay ka, Alex. Mabuhay ang mga atletang Pilipino!” Go concluded.
