Baguio City, Philippines – Fueled by determination and pride, young athletes representing the Cordillera delivered a powerful performance, lifting the region from 13th place last year to a proud 9th in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
The athletes, collectively called Fearless Highlanders, powered through the weeklong national games to claim 41 medals–17 gold, 13 silver, and 11 bronze, surpassing last year’s 11-8-18 medal haul.
The region’s delegation won most of their gold medals in taekwondo, with 2-4-2 in the elementary level and 7-1-0 in the secondary level, followed by archery with 4-2-0, wushu with 3-2-2, and wrestling with 1-1-4, all at the secondary level.
Two archers studying in Baguio City broke records in their respective events.
In the secondary boys’ 50 meters, Chass Mhaiven N. Colas scored 328 points, beating Lawrence Ckheil Enecio from the National Capital Region’s 321 points in 2024.
Colas likewise set a new record in the secondary boy’s 1440 round (single FITA) with a score of 1319 points, exceeding the 1304 points of Ilocos’ Jason Emmanuel Z. Feliciano in 2019.
In the secondary girls’ 70 meters, Emy Angela A. Peredo broke the record with 316 points, surpassing the 310 points of NCR’s Giuliana Vernice P. Garcia in 2023.
As the week of grit and glory came to a close on Saturday evening, May 31, at Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, the Schools Division Office of Baguio City was cited as fifth place in Most Medal-Receiving Delegations.
The city earned 16-10-6 medal record.
Next year’s edition of Palarong Pambansa will be hosted by Agusan del Sur in Mindanao, as officially announced during the closing program.
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