• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolodnon runner Bernalyn Bejoy secured a bronze medal in the Women’s 800-meter run during the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025 on Tuesday at Bangkok, Thailand.
Bejoy, who represented the Philippines, is a former track and field standout from Romanito P. Maravilla Sr. National High School in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.
The athlete previously won silver in the women’s 4×400-meter relay at the 2023 SEA Games.
Bejoy’s former coach, Addy Arca, expressed pride in her achievement on social media, praising her perseverance, discipline, and heart in chasing her athletic dreams. Arca noted that her journey inspires young athletes, proving determination and hard work can lead to international success.
With Bejoy’s victory, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya set their sights on improving the grassroot sports program of the city.
As the city is set to host the Regional Meet 2026, Gasataya said that they will be providing a set of uniforms and a daily allowance of P300 for the 30 days training of all athletes representing Bacolod.
“It is for them to be more motivated and equipped with the necessary training that they need for the actual competition,” he said.*
