BACOLOD City — Bacolodnon runner Bernalyn Bejoy clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 800-meter run at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) held at the Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, marking another milestone in her growing international athletics career.
The Philippines registered a strong podium finish in the event, with fellow Filipina Naomi Cesar capturing the gold medal, while Bejoy placed third in a highly competitive field.
Bejoy is a former track and field standout from Romanito P. Maravilla Sr. National High School in Barangay Estefania here, where she first developed her athletic skills before rising to national prominence and earning a spot on the Philippine team.
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya congratulated Bejoy and other Bacolodnons who represented the country in the regional sporting event, saying their achievements reflect the city’s strong commitment to sports development.
“We congratulate her and the rest of the Bacolodnons who represented the nation in the SEA Games. This is why our thrust is to further strengthen our grassroots sports program,” Gasataya said.
The mayor also cited the city government’s initiatives to support student-athletes, including monthly allowances, training uniforms, and other forms of assistance aimed at motivating and preparing athletes for higher levels of competition.
Meanwhile, Bejoy’s former coach, Addy Arca, expressed pride in her achievement in a social media post, praising her perseverance, discipline, and passion for the sport. He said Bejoy’s journey serves as an inspiration to young athletes, demonstrating how dedication and hard work can lead to international success.
Bejoy earlier won a silver medal in the women’s 4×400-meter relay at the 2023 SEA Games, further cementing her status as one of the country’s rising track and field athletes./PN
