AFTER bagging gold and bronze medals in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, two boxers from Bago City, Negros Occidental thanked their “kasimanwas” or fellow Bagonhons for their support to the athletes.

On Sunday, May 22, 2022, Rogen Ladon snatched the first gold medal in boxing for the country.

The 2016 Olympian, who hails from Barangay Lag-asan, defeated Vietnam’s Van Thao Tran in the finals of men’s 48kg to 52kg class.

Earlier, James Palicte, of the Barangay Sampinit in the city, bagged bronze medal in the men’s 57kg to 63kg class.

The two boxers, in a video message, said they share their SEA Games success to their fellow Bagonhons.

“Una sa tanan gapasalamat kami gali sa bilog nga taga Negros ilabi na gid sa mga taga Bago City. Salamat gid sa pagsuporta kag pagpangamuyo niyo sa amon. Madamo gid nga salamat [First of all, we would like to thank all Negrenses, especially those in Bago City. Thank you for the support and prayer. Thank you very much]," they said.

Ladon and Palicte also cited the support of the city government led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo and Vice Mayor Ramon Torres for the support to the local athletes.

Yulo lauded the two boxers for their hardwork and dedication, and for bringing Bago City to the international sports scene.

Aside from being the pride of the city, Yulo said, Ladon and Palicte serve as inspiration, especially to the young Bagonohons.

“The city honors their courage and determination to succeed in their chosen field,” the mayor said, adding that “may their new feat will inspire more local athletes to also work hard and achieve their dreams.”

The city government is holding a hero’s welcome for the two boxers this week. Certainly, they will be getting incentives, he added.

Yulo, meanwhile, said that Bago City also bagged the 2022 Junior League Softball championship title of the Little League Philippine Series during the championship game held at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center.

It was on the same day when Ladon won the SEA Games gold medal, he said, adding that the city’s softball team is now qualified for the Asia Pacific tournament.

The city hosted this year’s Little League Philippine Series which ran from May 16 to 22.