RECOGNITION. Negrense boxers Rogen Ladon (center) and James Palicte (4th from right), both medalists in the just concluded 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, receive cash incentives from their hometown Bago City in Negros Occidental during a heroes’ welcome led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo (3rd from right) on Monday (May 30, 2022). Ladon won the gold in the flyweight division while Palicte took the bronze in the lightweight class. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BAGO CITY, Negros Occidental – The city government here honored homegrown 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) boxing medalists Rogen Ladon and James Palicte during a heroes’ welcome event at the Bantayan Park on Monday.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo led city officials in paying tribute to Ladon, who won the gold in the flyweight division, and Palicte, who took the bronze in the lightweight class.
“I’m sure that this will serve as an inspiration not only to the youth of Bago, but also in the whole province, that they would look up to sports heroes and emulate what they do for themselves while giving honor to their hometown,” Yulo said.
During the program, which followed the motorcade, Ladon and Palicte, both 28, received cash incentives for showing “exemplary performance” during the SEAG in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 12 to 23 as stated in a resolution approved by the City Council on May 25.
Ladon was granted PHP50,000 while Palicte got PHP30,000.
Their four coaches, including Roel Velasco, Reynaldo Galido, Joegen Ladon and Mitchel Martinez, received PHP10,000 each.
“Show hardwork and determination in all things. You can fulfill your dreams if you have dedication in what you do,” said Ladon, who defended his title after winning the gold during the 30th SEAG in Manila in 2019.
A 2016 Rio Olympics campaigner, Ladon also bagged a silver medal during the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Palicte said he had also hoped to defend his gold medal finish in Manila, but physical difficulties prevented him from making it to the finals.
“Do your best, train well. Pray hard, discipline yourself. Those are the most important things,” he told aspiring boxers.
Bago City is known for producing some of the country's top boxers such as Mansueto "Onyok” Velasco, a silver medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
During the event, the city government also recognized the accomplishments of Bago teams in the 2022 Philippine Series Softball Tournament that it hosted from May 16 to 23.
The city’s Juniors Softball League team, which emerged as national champions, received a PHP50,000 cash incentive while the Majors and Seniors teams, which placed first and second runners-up, respectively, got PHP30,000 and PHP20,000.
All their 12 coaches were each given PHP5,000.
“By winning national and international tournaments, these athletes have made our country proud and have shown to the world the spirit of Filipino competitiveness and excellence. These outstanding performances of our athletes deserve to be commended,” the City Council headed by Vice Mayo Ramon Torres said.
Meanwhile, two other Negrense boxers also brought home medals from the 31st SEAG– Ian Clark Bautista of Binalbagan town, who won the gold in the bantamweight class, and La Carlota City’s Riza Pasuit, who pocketed the bronze in the women’s featherweight division. (PNA)
