Laoag: Chrisia Mae Tajarros of Eastern Visayas Region bagged the first gold medal at the 65th Palarong Pambansa Monday after ruling the secondary girls' 3000-meter run at Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Memorial Stadium here. She clocked 10 minutes and 18.6 seconds to beat Mary Mae Magbanua of Caraga (10:48.4) and Nathalei Faye Miguel of Ilocos Region (10:50.4).
According to Philippines News Agency, the 13-year-old Tajarros, a student at Leyte's Tanauan National High School, expressed that her relentless training paid off, and she remains determined to pursue her dream of competing internationally. Eastern Visayas also celebrated another victory, with Efosa John Paul Aguinaldo claiming the gold medal in the secondary boys' long jump event.
Aguinaldo, 17, triumphed over MJ Lloyd Lora of Calabarzon and Jester Renz Robedizo of Central Luzon. Representing Hindang Stand Alone Senior High School in Leyte, Aguinaldo was tied with Lora at 6.90 meters but won with a superior 6.83 meters compared to Lora's 6.59 meters.
In the elementary boys' long jump event, Khint Gimarangan from Northern Mindanao achieved Mindanao's first gold medal, leaping 5.50 meters and outpacing Dave Jhon Lumanao of Zamboanga Peninsula (5.49m) and Raymund Roy Carmona of Caraga (5.45m).
Sam Garcia from the Calabarzon Region clinched the gold medal in the elementary girls' discus throw with a heave of 33.97 meters. Shanee Miep Guillarte of Caraga earned silver with 30.96 meters, while Rhian Angela Encomienda of the National Capital Region (NCR) secured bronze at 30.90 meters.
The top three competitors in the secondary girls' discus throw event were Courtney Jewel Trangia of Bicol Region, Heart Duarte of NCR, and Baby Gryll Alforo. In weightlifting's secondary boys 48kg class, Matthew Diaz of Calabarzon, nephew of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, emerged victorious with a 73kg snatch and 93kg clean and jerk, defeating Generosmel Cortez of Zamboanga Peninsula and Rayney Joy Espina of NCR.
In a social media post, the Department of Education in Bicol (DepEd-5) highlighted that Trangia, a Grade 12 student at the Masbate Sports Academy, secured the top spot with a remarkable throw of 36.75 meters on her final attempt. Trangia, hailing from Balud, Masbate, has consistently demonstrated her athletic prowess since elementary school, as noted by her coach, John Rey Mendoza.
Trangia, who graduated with honors in both academics and sports from the Masbate Sports Academy, will continue her athletic journey as a scholar at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Her accomplishments extend beyond the Palarong Pambansa, having won medals in various international athletic competitions, including a gold in Vietnam, a gold in Indonesia, a silver in Thailand, a bronze in Malaysia, and a top 8 finish in Dubai.
On May 27, Trangia is scheduled to compete in the Shot Put event. The Bicol Vulcans team, representing the Bicol Region Athletics Association (BRAA) delegation for the 65th Palarong Pambansa 2025, comprises over 600 officials, student-athletes, and coaches from six provinces in the Bicol region.
