By Jaime Joshua A. Frias II
Contributor
CAGAYAN de Oro City’s Jessica H. Esparrago earned a reputation among the 136 women nationwide to receive a special citation in the second edition of All Women in Sports Awards on March 15, 2025, at Century Park Hotel in Manila.
This program was under the Office of Commissioner Olivia 'Bong' G. Coo of the Philippine Sports Commission. The awardees consisted of athletes, coaches, sports executives and leaders who had served and made major contributions to Philippine sports.
The citation states, “This special citation is presented to Jessica H. Esparrago for her outstanding achievement in sports leader that will inspire the next generation of women sports heroes.”
There were only two of them in Mindanao which included Esparrago, who is currently the sports director of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.
“The end goal is really to recognize and honor Filipina athletes, once again to celebrate the achievements of Filipina athletes in both national and international competition,” said PSC Executive Director Paulo Francisco C. Tatad.
Aside from being the sport's chief of the university, Esparrago was also practicing her primary profession as a physical education instructor at the university and karatedo fighter in the other life.
The 55-year-old Esparrago had her fair share for the city in her latest feat in karatedo.
She finished eight-best finish in the 50-54 age bracket for the women’s kata event of the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 16th Karate World Championship Tournament on October 27, 2024, at the Takasaki Arena in Japan.
Esparrago had a pair of silver medals in the Master’s Cup of the Traditional Karate Open 2023 being held at the Subic Bay gymnasium in Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City. She had notable titles in the Japan Karatedo Association (JKA)-organized tournaments including the Iwabuchi Cup.
Her citation was part of the International and National Women’s Month continues.
