Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino is spearheading the development of the country’s grassroots sports program, aiming to harness athletes who can contribute to excellence and national solidarity.
An avid sports fan, Tolentino's brother, Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, recently secured a fresh four-year term as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Francis Tolentino has launched key initiatives to help the youth get into sports.
Tolentino is the prime mover behind the Philippine Reserve Officers’ Training Course (ROTC) Games, a multi-sport event designed to produce future leaders in sports, military service, and other professions.
“Beyond being a sports event, the aim of the ROTC Games is to develop skills and talents and cultivate a deeper sense of nationalism among the youth,” said Tolentino.
The successful tournament drew over a thousand reservists and cadets from across the country.
Tolentino envisions future leaders emerging from the ranks in sports, military service, and various other fields, marking the ROTC Games as a significant success.
Women in Sports
On the local level, Tolentino is backing the formation of the Cavite TOL Patriots, a team representing his home province in the inaugural season of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL).
“The formation of the team signals a new era for women’s sports in the country,” said Tolentino, welcoming over a hundred female basketball players who tried out for the Patriots lineup last November 23 and 24 in Tagaytay City.
Coach Norman Manguinao and Coach Angelica Valera of Cavite State University led the tryouts, with WMPBL official John Kallos encouraging the hopefuls to continue developing their skills.
“With more avenues being opened, it is my hope to advance the skill and competitive level of Filipina basketball players in order to prepare them for potential international opportunities.” The first WMPBL tournament will kick off in January 2025.
Transcending Boundaries
Recently, Tolentino commended the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools for fostering meaningful connections among its members through annual sports and cultural events.
“Through events like this, we see the strength of Mindanao’s youth, its culture, and its ability for collaboration. In a world often divided by differences, your efforts to unite diverse communities through sports and culture resonate deeply,” said Tolentino, urging his audience to uphold fairness, respect, and camaraderie.
Tolentino emphasized that sports development is not just about creating athletes but building a stronger nation. “When our youth engage in sports, they learn values essential to nation-building: discipline, teamwork, resilience, and pride in representing their country,” he said.
From barangay tournaments fostering united communities to national athletes bringing honor to the country on the world stage, sports continue to shape national identity and social cohesion.
