TACLOBAN CITY — Borongan City marked a new chapter in its sports development as it joined the Batang Pinoy – Philippine Youth Games for the first time, sending a 97-member delegation to General Santos City for the national competition.
The contingent, composed of young athletes, coaches, and staff, is competing in seven sporting events — badminton, arnis, archery, basketball 3×3, taekwondo, futsal, and boxing — proudly representing the capital city of Eastern Samar in the week-long games.
Supported by the city government of Borongan, the delegation departed ahead of the opening ceremony on October 25.
Launched in 1998, the Batang Pinoy is a nationwide grassroots sports program for Filipino youth aged 18 and below, including out-of-school youth. It aims to discover and develop young talents while fostering sportsmanship and discipline.
Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, who expressed pride in the city’s first-ever participation, said the event is a testament to Borongan’s growing commitment to youth empowerment through sports.
“Yana nga ikaduha nga adlaw hiton Batang Pinoy 2025 dinhi ha General Santos City, nagkamay-ada kita hin higayon nga makapagkulaw han mga uyas han aton mga atleta nga nagdadara hiton ngaran hit aton mahal nga syudad,” Agda said.
He added that the city’s athletes’ achievements should inspire other Boronganons to pursue excellence in sports and become role models for their peers.
“Sadang ta igdasig it aton kabataan nga nahibubulig hit suga hin nga mga paisan-isan, tungod nga hira in nagpapakita hin determinasyon nga magin maupay nga susbaranan hit ira igkasi-kabataan,” he said.
Borongan’s debut at Batang Pinoy 2025 signifies not only athletic progress but also the city’s vision of nurturing a generation of disciplined, confident, and community-oriented youth — true ambassadors of Borongan’s pride and potential.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
