“Lost Opportunity for Our Rising Stars” — World No. 1 Islay Bomogao laments Muay Thai exclusion from 2026 CARAA

Baguio City, Philippines – Islay Erika Bomogao, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and the first Filipina to be ranked World No. 1 in the -45kg female elite division by the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), has expressed disappointment over the removal of Muay Thai from this year’s Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet.

She said the sport has brought international recognition and pride to the region through athletes like her but was suddenly scrapped from the regional qualifying event for the Palarong Pambansa.

Muay Thai debuted as a demonstration sport in the 2020 CARAA Meet, making the Cordillera one of the first regions in the country to include the event.

In January 2026, prominent combative sports trainer Coach Erwin Tagure released a statement after learning of Muay Thai’s exclusion from the 2026 CARAA Meet.

While the Kalinga-based Tribu Banwar head coach said he understands the reasons behind the decision, he expressed hope that the voices of the student-athletes and the sacrifices of their families would not be overlooked, especially since the announcement was made only a few weeks before the event.

“Our young athletes have traveled long distances from their villages just to train. Their parents have given so much—time, effort, and funds—to support their children’s dreams. They have poured sweat, discipline, and heart into preparing for a competition they believed was officially part of CARAA,” he wrote in a social media post.

Department of Education–Cordillera Director Estella Cariño confirmed in an earlier press conference that Muay Thai will not be included in this year’s sports events, nor will it be played even as a demonstration sport.

She explained that the combat sport is not among the official events in the Palarong Pambansa.

According to Cariño, the sport carries inherent risks, as participants use their hands, elbows, knees, and shins to deliver blows that may cause injury.

‘Lost opportunity, disheartening moment’

For Bomogao, the move is a disappointing setback.

“This is a lost opportunity for our rising stars and a disheartening moment for those who’ve worked tirelessly to elevate the sport,” said the decorated athlete from Baguio.

Meanwhile, Cariño assured that she would raise the matter with the agency and push for the inclusion of Muay Thai as an official sport in the national athletic meet.