RECOGNIZING their hard work, dedication and perseverance to bring honor to the city, the local government has granted P100,000 in cash incentives to members of the Bago City Girls Junior League Softball team.
The group, representing Asia-Pacific against 10 other teams, won third place in the 2022 Junior League Softball World Series held in Kirkland, Washington, USA earlier this month.
Fresh from their homecoming last week, the City Government of Bago initiated a motorcade and recognition ceremony Monday, August 22, for the delegation composed of 13 players and three coaches.
Some members of the City Council presented a copy of the resolution congratulating another "pride of the city," as well as the symbolic check for the incentives granted by the local government.
The resolution stated that "the outstanding performance by our athletes deserved to be commended for the honor and recognition they have brought not only to our city in particular but also to our country in general."
"These achievements have brought honor and pride to the City of Bago which should be accordingly recognized and rewarded," it added.
Earlier, Mayor Nicholas Yulo, in a statement, said the city is beaming with pride as the Team Asia-Pacific represented by the Bago City Girls Junior League Softball won third place in this year's Junior League World Series.
"I personally would like to congratulate our softball girls and their coaches," he said, adding that "worthy of note are their parents for encouraging their children and the Filipino community in the United States of America for taking good care of our athletes thereby boosting their morale and fighting spirit to hit a home run."
The team's head coach Josie Sebunga, on the sidelines of the recognition rites at the Bago City Community Center on Monday, August 22, underscored the support of the local government and Filipino community in the USA all throughout the competition.
It was the team's first time to join a world tournament, Sebunga said, stressing that Bago City softball girls were smaller than their foreign opponents.
"But we really did our best, the girls really worked hard, they fought to bring home something for the city," she said, adding that they will use the experience they got from this year's world series to better the areas that they need to improve for a stronger comeback in the next competition.
It was a memorable experience for the girls, Sebunga said.
Pitcher and team captain For Layle Baladhay, of the city's Barangay Sampinit, also thanked all those who helped the team "as well as our parents for your support and understanding."
Like her team members, Baladhay is also a student of Ramon Torres National High School.
"We thank God for guiding us in our recent competition and we also offer this achievement to Him. This is just the beginning, we will continue to work hard and do our best especially in the competitions to come," she added.