‘We are giving back the blessings’: NBI RD Bongngat backs Tabuk sports basketball league

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Giving back to the community through sports, NBI Director III Atty. Gelacio Bongngat said the recently concluded Tabuk City Inter-Barangay Basketball League 2026 was part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) program of his Rang-ay Eco Adventure Resort.

The three-month tournament, held from July 28 to October 24 in partnership with the Office of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, brought together basketball teams from all 43 barangays of Tabuk City, with games played every weekend.

During the culminating ceremony on October 24, the top three teams received a total of ₱100,000 in cash prizes. Bulanao Norte took home the championship and ₱50,000, followed by Bulanao Centro with ₱30,000 and Dagupan Centro with ₱20,000.

Bongngat said the league was organized to bring communities together and give local players an opportunity to showcase their athletic skills.

“We are giving back the blessings that the Lord has given us. Idiay Rizal apo iti resort ngem we want to start the activity in Tabuk City before we expand it ken mas papintasen tayo pay,” he said.

Although the resort is located in Rizal, Bongngat said they chose Tabuk City as the starting point of the initiative, with plans to expand the program to benefit more communities.

He and his wife, Dr. Michelle Karry Bongngat, a pediatrician in Tabuk City, also see sports as a way to provide young people with opportunities to develop their talents while promoting their health and well-being.

Following the tournament’s conclusion, Bongngat said the Rang-ay team would assess the event to identify areas for improvement before organizing another league.

“The Rang-ay team would consider having [a tournament] again next year and with this experience we have, we will calibrate again our efforts to make para mas pagandahin pa natin kung ano itong nasimulan natin,” he said.

The tournament marked the resort’s initial sports initiative in Tabuk City, with organizers looking to build on the experience and improve future competitions.