RECOGNIZING their latest feat at the recent Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2021 that has brought another pride not only to Bago City but to the entire country as well, the local government honored two outstanding local boxers whom they considered “sports heroes.”
Rogen Ladon and James Palicte, who bagged the gold and bronze medals, respectively, at the 31st SEA Games held in Vietnam recently, were warmly greeted by their fellow Bagonhons through a hero’s welcome and recognition ceremony staged by the city government led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo.
Ladon, 28, of Barangay Lag-Asan, snatched the country’s first gold medal in boxing after winning in the men's 48kg - 52kg class. Palicte, also 28, of Barangay Sampinit, placed third in the men's 57kg - 63kg class.
They were treated to a motorcade in the city’s major streets going to the Bantayan Park where a recognition rites was held yesterday morning, May 30.
“We are very grateful for this warm welcome,” an elated Ladon said, adding that what characterize Bagonhon boxers are their strength, courage and determination.
This is the second SEA Games gold medal for Ladon. He took home his first gold in 2019, following his silver feat in a previous competition in Singapore.
Inspired by his brother who was also part of the Philippine boxing team, Ladon started training back in 2007 at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Sports Center in Bago City.
Other than the Olympics and SEA Games, Ladon was also part of the Philippine boxing team during the 2018 Asian games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Be determined and strong as these will enable you to achieve your dreams in life,” he told young Bagonhons who also aspire to succeed in their respective fields, whether in boxing or in other sports.
Palicte also expressed gratitude to the city government and local officials for the recognition, saying that they are proud to also bring honor and pride to their hometown, Bago City.
He recalled that it was his father who first saw his potential in boxing. Though, he was first interested in playing basketball.
“But I never regret that I pursue boxing,” the 2019 SEA Games gold medalist said.
Like Ladon, Palicte’s advice young aspiring boxers to persevere, especially during the training, pray and have discipline.
Both boxers are now preparing for an invitational match in Brazil sometime in July this year.
They received P50,000 and P30,000 cash incentives from the city government, respectively. Their coaches also received P10,000 each.
The city council, in a resolution presented during the ceremony, said by winning the national and international tournament, these athletes have made the country proud and shown to the world the spirit of Filipino competitiveness and excellence.
For his part, Yulo said it’s also an honor for the city that two of his residents have brought glory to the country through sports.
“It is always an honor for our country to receive a gold medal or any other medal in international sports competition,” he added.
The mayor pointed out that the government is really giving importance to sports programs as this helps in the development not only of the skills of the youth but also their values which they can use in their daily lives.
It is really good that there’s a grassroot sports program in order to produce champions like Ladon and Palicte, Yulo said, recognizing the late mayor Manuel Torres who started the boxing program in the city.
“It has helped a lot of Bagonhons, especially in terms of setting their directions in life,” he said adding that “I hope this will serve as inspiration to the many, especially the young ones, to look up into these sports heroes and emulate what they are trying to do for themselves, family, city, province and country.”
Meanwhile, the city government also honored the teams who won in the Little League Philippines National Finals Softball Tournament which it hosted recently.
It granted P50,000 cash incentives to the Bago City Juniors Softball League team as champion, P30,000 to Bago City Majors Softball League as first runner-up, and P20,000 to Bago City Senior Softball League for bagging the second runner-up title. Their coaches also each received P5,000 cash incentives.
“Congratulations to all of them,” the mayor said, as he assured continuous support from the city government.
Also present during the activity were some city councilors, department heads and employees, and family of the athletes.