VALENZUELA City unveiled its first ever multi-purpose gymnasium.
WES Arena in Valenzuela
The Wellness Entertainment Sports (WES) Arena was formally launched Oct. 7 in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela through the initiatives of first district congressman Wes Gatchalian.
The facility sits at a 1.2-hectare lot which houses not only a two-court basketball floor, dugouts, volleyball court, badminton court, boxing ring, chess area, billiards and darts hall, among others.

Senator and vice presidential candidate Bong Go led the guests of honor that graced the opening ceremony also attended by former DPWH Secretary and now senatorial aspirant Mark Villar, Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, vaccination czar Carlito Galvez, Gatchalian’s brother Senator Win Gatchalian, and Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian.
PBA great Gerry Esplana serves as sports director of the venue that took more than two years to complete due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Esplana, the former PBA Rookie of the Year and Valenzuela City councilor, said pool icon Efren 'Bata' Reyes dropped by the venue last month and checked on the two billiards hall, where he graciously signed his name and wrote a small message on the wall of the playing area.
In his speech meanwhile, Gatchalian said the inauguration of the multi-purpose sports facility couldn't have come at a better time when the country had its most successful campaign in the Olympics ever, topped by winning its first ever gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
At the same, the House Deputy Speaker hopes the City of Valenzuela will also produce future national athletes in the sam breath as Diaz and fellow Tokyo Olympics medal winners Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial.
"Ito ay isang personal na pangarap ko, pangarap na magkaroon ng isang tahanan ang ating mga atletang Valenzuelano. Naniniwala ako na isang araw mula sa hanay na ito ay may susunod sa yapak at maaabot ang parehong tagumpay na natamo ng ating mga atleta sa nakaraang Tokyo Olympics," said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said his decision to construct the facility is borne out of his principle of 'Dream, Believe, Achieve.'
"Ito ang naging inspirasyon ko sa pagbuo nitong pasilidad, kaya ang mga katagang iyon ay nagsisilbing paalala sa mga Valenzuelano na magpunyagi na dahil lahat ng mga pangarap ay kayang abutin at pagsikapan," he stressed.
At the moment, Wes Arena is being used as vaccination site for COVID-19, the biggest mega-vaccination center in Valenzuela and perhaps, the entire National Capital Region (NCR).
"Kaunting pasensiya lang. Patapusin lang muna natin itong pandemyang nangyayari ngayon. Ngunit ang ating mga kababayan ay siguradong mae-excite sa ipapakita natin at ihahandog na sports facility dito sa Barangay Punturin," added Gatchalian.
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