A GROUP of young champions from the National Academy of Sports paid a courtesy visit to the Senate, proudly showcasing their achievements in both academics and international table tennis tournaments.

The student-athletes were welcomed by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Sports and Youth, who lauded their discipline, excellence, and dedication.

Accompanied by NAS Sports Executive Director Josephine Joy Reyes and Coach Karen Jaleco, the delegation included some of the country’s most promising table tennis athletes, many of whom have already earned medals on the global stage.

Among them was Grade 8 student Khevine Kheith Cruz, who made headlines after clinching gold at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender in Dubai (October 2024) and the US Open Table Tennis Championships in Las Vegas (December 2024). He continued his streak in 2025 with a silver in San Francisco and both a gold and silver at the WTT Youth Contender Series in Palawan.

Other medalists included Prince Maminta (bronze, U-13 in Dubai), Rald Jaeden Tanghal (bronze in U-15 Mixed Doubles and Singles in Palawan), Christopher Ocampo (bronze in U-17 Mixed Doubles and Boys’ Singles), and Jakob Aldrich Quindo (bronze at the Asian Youth Games Qualifier in Bahrain).

Go beamed with pride as he addressed the athletes.

“Talagang nakaka-proud po ang mga batang ‘to,” he said. “Panalo na sa sports, may honors pa sa pag-aaral. Iyan ang tunay na ehemplo para sa kabataan.”

Go, who co-authored and co-sponsored the law creating NAS—Republic Act No. 11470—highlighted the school’s dual-track approach that promotes both academic and athletic excellence.

Located in New Clark City, Tarlac, NAS offers a unique environment where student-athletes can train professionally while receiving quality secondary education.

“Yung karangalan na dala-dala niyo para sa bayan, hindi ‘yan nabibili ng kahit anong yaman,” he said. “Hanggang sa pagtanda niyo, kayo ay magiging inspirasyon.”

Since taking the helm of the Senate sports committee in 2019, Go has overseen a golden era in Philippine athletics, including the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and a historic double-gold finish in Paris 2024. He has also championed increased budgets for sports programs and led the rehabilitation of major sports facilities such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the Philsports Arena.

The senator expressed hope that the NAS athletes would serve as role models for the youth, encouraging them to pursue sports and lead healthy, drug-free lives.

“Mabuhay kayo! Palakpakan natin sila!” Go declared. “Bilang Chairperson ng Sports and Youth, masaya ako at proud sa inyo. Mahal ko kayo, mga kabataan!”

As their medals gleamed and their stories inspired, the NAS athletes left the Senate not just as champions in the game—but as beacons of the nation’s future.