Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, January 14, paid tribute to the Zamboanga Valientes as the organization marked its 20th Anniversary, highlighted by the 1st Valientes Gala and Awards Night held at the Astoria Regency Convention Center in Zamboanga City.
The celebration honored outstanding athletes from various sports disciplines who have brought pride to the city through their medal-winning performances in local, national, and international competitions, recognizing their dedication, discipline, and pursuit of excellence.
In a video message, Senator Go extended his congratulations to the organization, emphasizing the values that sports instill in individuals and communities.
“My warmest congratulations to the Zamboanga Valientes as you celebrate your 20th anniversary. For two decades, the Zamboanga Valientes have stood as a symbol of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—values that sports instill not only in athletes but in our youth and communities as a whole,” Go said.
“I commend your continuous efforts in nurturing local talents and providing opportunities for athletes to excel, dream bigger, and represent the city with pride,” he added.
The Zamboanga Valientes, a professional Filipino basketball team based in Zamboanga Peninsula, has competed in various leagues in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, earning recognition for its commitment to grassroots development and competitive excellence.
The senator also acknowledged that the successful staging of the celebration was made possible through the initiative and support of Councilor Junnie Navarro and his family, whose leadership and advocacy have consistently advanced programs that promote discipline, teamwork, and civic pride among the youth through sports.
Go further recognized the presence and support of key local and national leaders and sports figures, including City Mayor Khymer Olaso, City Vice Mayor Beng Climaco, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Emilio Aquino, former Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Jade Jamolod, former Congressman Celso Lobregat, former Gilas Pilipinas player Terrence Romeo, and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players Mark Barroca, Peter Alfaro Jr., and Didat Hanapi.
Senator Go was also conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his sustained commitment to sports development and youth empowerment nationwide.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition humbles me, as I have always believed that supporting sports is supporting our youth and investing in a healthier, stronger nation. Any contribution I have made toward sports development—whether in Zamboanga or in other parts of the country—has always been driven by a sincere desire to serve and uplift our athletes,” he said.
As Chairman of the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth and an athlete himself, Senator Go underscored the vital role of sports in steering young people toward a healthy and productive path.
“I firmly believe in the power of sports to shape character, promote discipline, and guide our youth toward a positive direction. This is why I continue to push for programs and initiatives that encourage everyone—especially the young—to get into sports, stay away from drugs, to keep us healthy and fit,” Go stressed.
Central to his advocacy is the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established under Republic Act No. 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, the NAS offers a dual-track system that integrates quality secondary education with specialized sports training, enabling young student-athletes to excel both academically and athletically.
In the 20th Congress, Senator Go filed Senate Bill No. 171, which seeks to regionalize the NAS to make sports development opportunities more accessible nationwide. He also filed SBN 413, which aims to institutionalize the Philippine National Games as a premier national platform for discovering and nurturing athletic talent, particularly from the grassroots. Meanwhile, SBN 678, or the proposed National Tertiary Games Act, seeks to establish a formal national collegiate multi-sport competition to further develop and showcase athletes at the tertiary level.
“Congratulations once again to all the awardees, athletes, coaches, and organizers. May you continue to inspire the next generation of Zamboangueño athletes,” Go ended.
