Senator Bong Go commended young Filipino athletes Ana Bhianca Espenilla and Jerico Cadag after they delivered medals for the Philippines at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, citing their performance as another reminder of the importance of sustained support for youth sports, athlete development, and grassroots training.
Espenilla, a 19-year-old javelin thrower from Tigao Island, Masbate, won silver after recording a personal-best throw of 52.20 meters on her sixth and final attempt at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Before her final throw, her best mark stood at 47.71 meters.
Cadag, 18, secured bronze in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase after clocking 9:35.10 in a 13-runner field. He finished behind India’s Nikhil Chandrashekar, who registered 9:25.44, and Japan’s Yuu Kato, who timed 9:27.30.
The Philippine athletics squad, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, closed the meet with two medals.
“Nakakatuwa po na makita ang ating mga kabataang atleta na lumalaban at nagbibigay karangalan sa bansa.”
“Congratulations kina Ana Bhianca Espenilla at Jerico Cadag. Nakakatuwa po na makita ang ating mga kabataang atleta na lumalaban at nagbibigay karangalan sa bansa,” Go said.
The veteran legislator said the achievements of Espenilla and Cadag reflect the depth of athletic talent in the country, especially among young Filipinos from the provinces who need more access to training, facilities, scholarships, and organized competitions.
“Maraming kabataang Pilipino ang may galing at pangarap sa sports. Ang kailangan po natin ay bigyan sila ng tamang suporta, maayos na pasilidad, at oportunidad na maipakita ang kanilang talento,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
Espenilla’s medal came ahead of her scheduled participation in the World U20 Athletics Championships in Oregon from August 5 to 9, where she is set to join Jeralyn Rodriguez in the 400 meters, Naomi Cesar in the 800 meters, and Ivan Cabanda in the 400-meter hurdles.
Cadag’s bronze also capped a personal shift in his athletic path. Once a javelin thrower, he moved to distance running and later won two Palarong Pambansa gold medals and a silver at the Southeast Asian U18 competitions.
Go has long pushed for a comprehensive, inclusive, and grassroots-oriented approach to sports development. Central to this advocacy is the National Academy of Sports, established under Republic Act No. 11470, which the senator authored and co-sponsored.
Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, the NAS combines quality secondary education with a specialized sports curriculum for student-athletes.
To expand access to the NAS model, he filed Senate Bill No. 171, or the proposed National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act of 2025, which seeks to establish regional NAS campuses nationwide, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao. The proposed campuses would provide full scholarships while maintaining the academic and athletic standards of the main campus.
Go sponsored SBN 1743, which seeks to amend the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 10699). The measure, which has already passed on third reading in the Senate, proposes more inclusive incentives for medalists, particularly para-athletes.
He likewise filed SBN 413, or the Philippine National Games bill, which seeks to institutionalize a nationwide grassroots sports competition that would serve as a recruitment platform for National Sports Associations. SBN 678, or the proposed National Tertiary Games Act, seeks to formalize a national collegiate multi-sport tournament to nurture and showcase athletic talent at the tertiary level.
As sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Go has advocated for support for the country’s sports development, including the repair and improvement of key facilities such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
He said that investments in training facilities, proper equipment, nutrition, mental support, and grassroots competitions are essential if the country wants to help more athletes prepare for international competition.
“Kung gusto nating mas marami pang Pilipinong atleta ang magtagumpay, dapat magsimula ang suporta sa grassroots.”
“Kung gusto nating mas marami pang Pilipinong atleta ang magtagumpay, dapat magsimula ang suporta sa grassroots. Dapat may programa para sa kabataan, may pasilidad sa komunidad, at may tuluy-tuloy na tulong sa kanilang training,” Go said.
He said the latest medal finishes of Espenilla and Cadag should encourage institutions to keep investing in young athletes, especially those who come from communities where sports can serve as a path to discipline, education, and national representation.
“Sa bawat laban ng ating mga atleta, dala nila ang pangalan ng Pilipinas. Kaya dapat patuloy natin silang suportahan, lalo na ang mga kabataang nagsisikap para sa kanilang pamilya, komunidad, at bansa,” Go concluded.
