From the bottom of my heart, and with immense pride, I congratulate Governor Dennis "Delta" Garcia Pineda and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns on their remarkable victory in clinching the North Division title for the second consecutive year in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
With the steadfast leadership of Governor Delta, the team showed incredible skills and spirit, prevailing over the San Juan Knights with a score of 81-73. This win not only secures their division title but also earns them a prestigious spot in the MPBL National Finals in Dubai.
Special recognition is also due to Justine Baltazar for his MVP performance and to stalwarts like Archie Concepcion and Encho Serrano for their crucial contributions.
I may not be an expert sport analyst, but I know good leadership when I see one. That’s why I deeply respect Governor Delta, who serves both as the region's top political leader and the head coach of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
His involvement in local sports clubs and events provided him with a grassroots perspective on leadership, emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and strategic planning. Now he blurs the lines between governance and sports, creating this sense of pride and unity among his constituents.
Named after the province’s iconic Christmas lanterns, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns embody the light and hope that sports can inject into a community. We could say, the recent triumph in the MPBL is as an early Christmas present, inspiring the Kapampangans and elevating the province’s stature on the national sports stage. This achievement showcases both top-notch local talent as well as the effective leadership that nurtures such prowess.
This kind of leadership is akin to that of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman, who has a knack for empowering those around her to excel. Just as the Pampanga Giant Lanterns thrive under strategic guidance, allowing players to maximize their potential and bring honor to their locale, the Budget Secretary fosters environments where individuals are encouraged to shine.
Much like a sporting coach, Secretary Mina facilitates opportunities, provides necessary resources, and instills confidence not only within her team but throughout the entire government machinery.
A good example is our capacity building initiatives, which equips various government agencies with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks necessary to perform their duties more effectively. This empowerment leads to better service delivery and enhances public trust, as agencies become more capable of fulfilling their mandates with greater transparency and accountability.
The principles of leadership and community development these two leaders exemplify prove that with the right guidance and support, any team—whether in sports or governance—can achieve greatness.
To close, I hope that regardless of where we come from, Kapampangan or not, we rally behind the Pampanga Giant Lanterns as they continue to make their mark. Let's also extend that same spirit of encouragement and unity to our government leaders who are diligently working to steer our country forward.
Here's to more success and inspiring leadership on and off the court.
There is hope!