ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, is putting the spotlight on the future of Philippine sports as it partners with the Department of Education and the Province of Albay to broadcast the 2016 Palarong Pambansa on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and ABS-CBN Sports + Action HD.

ABS-CBN Sports + Action channel head Vince Rodriguez, ABS-CBN Regional head Atty. Abigail Querubin-Aquino, Department of Education assistant secretary Tonicito Umali, and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda from this year’s Palarong Pambansa’s host province formalized the historic partnership, which gives a huge boost to Philippines sports and Filipino athletes.

Also present in the press conference were former Palaro athletes Sen. Pia Cayetano, Fille Cainglet-Cayetano of Beach Volleyball Republic, Carmela Tunay of the UST Women’s Volleyball team.

Rodriguez, who represented ABS-CBN Integrated Sports head Dino Laurena in the signing, said ABS-CBN’s sports division has committed to air some of the games and matches of Palaro on their sports channels, and will also produce a documentary and feature stories on the event and its former and present athletes. “If you are a group that is committed to sports development, how can you tell the story of our athletes, understand their struggles and celebrate their victories, if you do not start the story from the beginning?” Rodriguez said, adding, “As a channel committed to sports development, we know it’s important to show the stories of our heroes, both big and small, in inspiring Filipinos especially the youth.”

Through this partnership, ABS-CBN Integrated Sports fulfills its objective to help promote sports development in the country by giving exposure to young Filipino athletes, the next generation of sports superstars and national athletes that will bring honor and inspiration to the nation.

The 59th edition of the annual multi-sporting event for Filipino student-athletes from the nation’s 18 regions will commence on April 10 at the Bicol University Sports Complex, Albay Province.

Follow the journey of the Philippines’ best young talents in the world of sports at the 2016 Palarong Pambansa on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and ABS-CBN Sports + Action HD Ch166, starting April 10. For more information, visit sports.abs-cbn.com and follow ABS-CBN Sports’ official Facebook and Twitter accounts, @abscbnsports.