LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines  – Eric Joachim Hechanova, from Barangay Baay in Lingayen town, has made a significant mark in the athletic scene after taking home gold medals at the 17TH Southeast Asia (SEA) Athletics Championship in Under-18 and Under-20 held in Medan, Indonesia. In his international debut, the 17-year-old sprinter clocked an impressive 9:06.35, outrunning athletes from other Southeast Asian nations. Sultan Hasibuan and Fikar Giroth of Indonesia came in 2nd and 3rd places with recorded times of 9:17.60 and 9:26.58, respectively. Julio Marti Amaral of Timor-Leste finished fourth with a time of 10:18.05. Hechanova’s gold medal contributed to the Philippines’ medal count, marking the country’s 7th gold medal in the 17th SEA Athletics Championships. The Philippines bagged third place overall, with a total of 11 gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze medal, trailing behind Vietnam and the champion, Indonesia. In the Philippines, Hechanova’s track record is nothing short of extraordinary. He previously won two gold medals at the Batang Pinoy 2025 in the 5,000-meter and 1,500-meter runs, respectively, and a silver medal at the Duaman Duathlon 2025. Dedicating his victories to his family and girlfriend, Hechanova attributed his success to hard work, sacrifices, and discipline. He also acknowledged the support of his coach, fellow Pangasinense who is the recent Powerman Malaysia 2025 champion. Determined to aim higher and consistently work on his goals, the homegrown athlete emphasized the importance of discipline, saying, “Tulad ng lagi kong sinasabi, laging makinig sa coach. Hindi ka naman ipapahamak ng coach mo sa mga pinapagawa niyang training.” Governor Ramon V. Guico III expressed gratitude and pride that a homegrown athlete like Hechanova raised the Philippine flag and represented Pangasinan victoriously in the international competition. As a show of gratitude, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino approved a resolution congratulating Hechanova on November 24. (Ramel Tungpalan, Aryssa Arsce Astilla, Ken Shelumuel Lambino | PIMRO Immersion Students    

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Practice rounds for the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament kick off today,November 25 at the Baguio Country Club and John Hay Golf as the biggest and longest amateur golf event in the Asia Pacific region attracted a record breaking 1, 430 players. The players are from 340 teams in the seniors and regular divisions, who have confirmed to battle across the fairways short but tricky BCC and JHG from Nov. 25 to Dec. 13. Marking its diamond year, the tournament has surpassed previous participation records, reinforcing its reputation as a premier international sporting event rooted in tradition, excellence, and camaraderie. Tournament officials said this year’s field includes 132 senior teams, proving that age has never dimmed competitive fire, and 172 regular division teams, setting up what may be the most stacked and unpredictable battles in recent memory. Adding to the tournament’s prestige is the strong overseas turnout—25 percent of all participating teams hail from abroad, bringing diverse styles and elevating the competitive atmosphere on the highland courses. Both BCC and John Hay have been undergoing final preparations in anticipation of the heavy traffic of players over the tournament’s three-week run. Greens have been rolled to tournament speed, fairways trimmed to precision, and tee boxes reinforced to handle daily wear, according to course officials. Adopting for the first time the “four to play, four to count” format, perennial title contenders champions such as the Manila Southwoods, Royal Northwoods, Eagle Ridge, and Luisita are all ready for action. Organizers said the 75th edition will also highlight the event’s heritage through special milestones, tributes, and community partnerships. Local tourism and hospitality sectors are also gearing up, with the influx of players, families, and supporters expected to significantly boost the city’s holiday economy. Organizers said delegations are arriving from the United States, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, reigniting the global spirit that has long defined the Fil-Am. “These overseas teams don’t just compete—they travel to reconnect with friends, reunite with former teammates, and strengthen long-standing golfing bonds,” organizers said.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The 75th edition of the Fil-Am Invitational Golf tournament to be held at the Baguio Country Club (BCC) and Camp John Hay (CJH) fairways will starts on November 25 to December 13, 2025. The 129 participating teams of the senior’s division and lower flights of the regular division will be seeing action, while the second week, which will be on December 4-13, 2025, will be for the higher flights of the regular division to play in both courses. The practice rounds for the senior’s division will be on November 25-27, 2025 which will be followed by the formal tee off at around 4 pm of November 27, 2025 while the practice rounds for the regular division will be on December 5-7, 2025 which will also be followed by the tee off at around 4 pm of December 7, 2025. The number of participating teams in the longest running amateur golf tournament in the Asia-Pacific region increased to 301 teams for this year where the participating golfers also reached record breaking figures at around 1,500. Some 129 teams composed of more than 634 golfers are set to compete in the senior’s division while some 179 teams composed of more than 800 players will be participating in the highly competitive regular division. The adoption of a new format, 4 to play, 4 to count, paved the way for organizers to accommodate some 40 additional teams to significantly reduce the number of teams that are in the waiting list annually. Last year, some 260 teams composed of some 1,430 golfers jointed the two-week golf competition which is being usually held at both the BCC and CJH fairways. (PR)

  By RachelMagday   Brenda Ramos Zinampan, a 47-year-old high school teacher and athletics coach from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, captured four gold medals in the Women’s 45+ category at the 23rd Asia Masters Athletics Championships held November 5–10, 2025 in Chennai, India. Zinampan topped the field in the 400-meter hurdles, 100-meter dash, 80-meter hurdles and pole vault, overcoming lingering injuries to her ankle and back to deliver the sweep for Team Philippines. She said she carried “a fighting heart and the Filipino spirit” to India and credited the encouragement of her family, teammates and the Filipino public for keeping her going. Zinampan’s latest success builds on strong recent performances. In 2023 she emerged victorious at the 22nd Asia Masters Athletics Championship, held November 8–12 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, where she won two golds and three silvers. In a previous interview, she recalled competing in the Palarong Pambansa and representing Nueva Vizcaya in the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet in high school, but she stepped away to prioritize finishing college and never imagined she would fulfill that athletic dream later in life. Her 2025 season also includes a bronze in the pentathlon at the World Masters Athletics Championship in Gainesville, Florida, and she was a silver medalist at the Palarong Pambansa in 1995. Zinampan teaches and coaches at Bascaran National High School in Solano and trains in the afternoons and evenings because of her school schedule. She urged fellow masters and senior athletes to prioritize health and fitness and to keep pursuing their dreams, stressing that medals and podiums are secondary to well‑being and the power to inspire others. She also expressed heartfelt thanks to her family, teammates and everyone who supported her journey to the 23rd AMAC.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – A record breaking one thousand five hundred golfers are expected to participate in the 75th edition of the prestigious Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament that will run from November 25 to December 13, 2025 at the Baguio Country Club (BCC) and Camp John Hay (CJH) fairways. Aside from this number of golfers who will be comprising the staggering 301 teams that were enlisted for this year’s tournament, BCC general manger and Fil-Am Golf Co-Chairman Anthony de Leon said that there will also be a significant improvement in the raffle prizes and giveaways for the participating golfers during the two-week competition. Some 129 teams composed of more than 634 golfers will be joining the various categories in the seniors division while some 179 teams composed of nearly 800 golfers will be enlisted for the different categories under the regular division. The annual Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament is the longest running amateur golf competition in the Asia Pacific region having reached its 75th year of high-level competition in the said sport. De Leon claimed that 25 percent of the participating teams come from the different parts of the Asia-Pacific region and the United States that speaks well of the tournament’s reputation among local and foreign golfers who have been actively joining the annual staging of the competition. The 75th edition of the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament is being jointly initiated by both the BCC and the John Hay Golf under the State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). The BCC official pointed out that the new format for this year will be the four to play, four to count that will enable the organizers to accommodate some 40 additional teams compared to the number of teams that joined last year’s tournament. Last year’s 74th Januarius Fil-Am Golf Tournament saw the participation of some 1,430 golfers who composed the 260 teams that were enlisted for the tournament.  

  LA UNION, Philippines –– The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), together with Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is set to redevelop the 8,000-square-meter Poro Point Baywalk in La Union into a sports and recreation complex that will attract more visitors and give the community a vibrant shared space by the sea. The entire stretch of the Poro Point Baywalk will be developed into a vibrant recreation hub by the sea. It will feature a 400-seater grandstand, an Olympic-standard skate course, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and badminton courts, a public park, and an events space equipped with solar-powered lighting. The complex will also include a toilet and shower facility, as well as landscaping works, covered benches, and improved utilities for asustainable and inclusive leisure experience. The new baywalk development will provide both residents and visitors more reasons to enjoy La Union’s dynamic coastal lifestyle while supporting the province’s growing reputation as a destination for sports and recreation. “This project shows how we can turn our economic zones into spaces that truly serve the community,” said BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang. “Together with PPMC and DPWH, we’re building not just facilities, but experiences that enhance local life and strengthen Poro Point’s appeal as a destination for recreation, tourism, and investment in Northern Luzon.” Under the agreement, BCDA will provide the project site and concur with the design prepared by DPWH, which will handle funding, procurement, and construction. PPMC, meanwhile, will oversee inspection, coordination, and maintenance upon completion, ensuring that the facility remains well-managed and accessible to the public. “The joint project represents our shared vision for growth, and innovation. Once complete, the facility will not only expand our capabilities but also create new opportunities for collaboration, learning, and progress,” said PPMC OIC President and CEO Servillano C. Flores, Jr. Once completed, the project is expected to boost local tourism, generate employment, and create livelihood opportunities for small and medium enterprises.  

  TANUDAN, Kalinga, Philippines — The municipality of Tanudan is gearing up to officially launch Tawang Falls in sitio Cabugao, Barangay Pangol as a tourism site through the “Stride for a Cause: Running with Purpose – Tanudan Run 2025.” Set on November 22, 2025, the running event is a chance to enjoy the beautiful nature of Tanudan while also contributing to the improvement of the town’s tourism. It aims to raise funds for the construction of a male and female “nature-like” toilet at the tourist site, ensuring a cleaner and more visitor-friendly attraction. The fun run is open to participants aged 15 years old and above, and features 21KM, 12KM, and 6KM categories. Registration is until November 15 through https://bit.ly/tanudanrun2025. (PIA Kalinga)  

  By Aileen Refuerzo   BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – Mayor Benjamin Magalong congratulated and thanked the athletes, coaches, parents, officials, organizers, and others who were instrumental in the city’s excellent performance in the recently concluded national competition held in General Santos City. Baguio City once again came in second place in the fiercely competitive 2025 Batang Pinoy National Youth Games with 91 gold, 72 silver, and 74 bronze medals, following Pasig City with 95-72-87 medals. “You know we are proud of all of you. What you have shown is amazing. Your courage, dedication, and sportsmanship are remarkable and commendable. Salute to all of you,” Magalong said. Baguio was a four-time overall champion in the sporting event until it was defeated by Pasig last year. Their medals came from performances in combat sports and archery, led by outstanding archers Chass Mhavien Colas, Jephtha Caleb Fernandez, and Jianna Delos Reyes, who each won four gold medals. Davao City came in third with 53 gold, 53 silver, and 68 bronze medals., followed by Quezon City with 45-51-57, while Manila came in fifth with 43-37-32. This year’s edition of Batang Pinoy is said to be the largest in the event’s history, with 188 local government units (LGUs) participating. One innovation noted is the use of digital technology, with all official results now being posted on the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) website, replacing the printed results system used in previous years.        

Sports Turismo Alliance Supports It   Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc (STA) applause the formation of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) as approved by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr through Administrative Order No 38 signed on October 29, 2025. Under the NST-IAC, the committee, headed by Patrick Gregorio, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, has been tasked to manage and oversee the development, promotion, and implementation of sports tourism initiatives. “We welcome the formation of the NST-IAC and many of our partners in the  Alliance, are elated with this development,” exclaimed Charles Lim, President and CEO of STA. “We have been looking forward to this day for a very long time.” He further explained that many countries, prominent in sports and popular tourist destinations prosper with both sectors under one administration. ” Look at Thailand, Vietnam and South Korea. How successful they have been in boosting tourism through sports. They are all under one Ministry of Sports and Tourism. Some of them embrace the Culture portfolio as well.” “From the point of view of event organizers and sports associations bidding for major events, I would likened this to doing business in a one-stop shop,” said Lim. Gregorio heads this newly created inter-agency group as chairman with Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT) as vice-chairman. and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone (TIEZA) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as members. Lim first conceptualized an educational planning workshop series, Sports Tourism Forum (STF) in 2004, under his public relations company, Selrahco. STF has since held no less than twenty fora for local governments and eight DOT regional offices across the country in sports event management, sports marketing, bidding and budgeting, and in measuring the economic and socio impact and the boost to certain sport development and popularity in the host cities. The next STF is scheduled in Clark Freeport, Pampanga on November 7, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, presented by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Clark International Aviation Corporation, Department of Tourism and Clark Development Corporation. STA sees itself playing a vital role in sports tourism, deeply rooted in the private sector. Lim, who is also founder and chairman of the annual Philippine Sports Tourism Awards now in its seventh year, claims that the sports tourism sector has made big strides in the last decade with several international tournaments such as the FIBA World Cup in 2023, the recently concluded FIVB World Championship and the forthcoming FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup and the Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Manila are good testament During a meeting in Malacañang recently with the President, the Private Sector Advisory Council – Tourism Sector Group (PSAC-TSC) headed by Lance Gokongwei of the JG Group, also recommended adopting a marketing strategy focused on sports. Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc gained membership into the London based International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH) in 2022, being the sole representative from the Philippines ever since. IAEH has over 50 members worldwid