The national sporting event does not only hone students’ skills but also prepares them for their future and even the international stage. It also encourages institutions to improve their sports facilities and implant discipline, teamwork, and excellence to athletes, giving them a head start in their journey as a student-athlete.

Palarong Pambansa a History

The Palarong Pambansa is the largest sports gathering in the country wherein students from private and non-private schools from elementary and secondary levels are permitted to compete as long as they are enlisted and qualified. 

The Palaro started its culmination in Manila as the Bureau of Public Schools Interscholastic Athletic Association Meet (BPSIAA) or National Sports Meet in 1948. It was then conducted annually until it was temporarily halted after the death of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay in 1957. The games then resumed in 1972 at Tagbilaran Bohol. Eventually, canceled again due to the declaration of the Martial Law under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. A year later, the games resumed in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. 

It was then in 1974 during its 25th anniversary that it was officially named as Palarong Pambansa. Years later, it was dubbed into a lot of variations namely: Palarong Bagong Lipunan in 1980 and Palarong Pilipino Gintong Alay in 1984. Between 1984 and 1987, the games were again postponed due to the Power Power Revolution movement. 

It was in 1988 the term ‘Palarong Pambansa’ was used again. 

Palaro Law Beginnings 

In its 58th annual celebration in 2015, the Palarong Pambansa Board under the Department of Education (DepEd) has commensurated in connection to the law it signed, Republic Act No. 10588, or the Palarong Pambansa Law in May 2013. 

The board is mainly assigned to conduct the Palarong Pambansa and other sporting-activities leading to Palarong Pambansa.

It is also responsible for promoting education and sporting programs, amateur or pro-leagues, including training in support of international competitions. According to the law, the games are held into a rotation method to different places as provided by the organization that also promotes regions a proactive action in improving its sporting facilities.

Pillars of Athleticism

Palaro serves as a stepping stone for student-athletes as many are undergoing long-tiring training in getting a spot in the roster in representing their region. 

It serves as a platform for young aspirants to hone their skills and talents. In addition, it is also a platform to meet other athletes and compete with them, gradually knowing the broad meaning of sports athleticism. 

Another thing to note is that the Palaro is a great venue for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to look out for prodigies to represent the country to be in international events. The Palaro has produced many talents on the international stage, it is impossible to enumerate. 

Generally, Palaro brings the best in student-athletes and transforms them into the athletic figure they ever want.

Empowering The Hearts of the Champions

As Palaro brings out the best from the athletes, it also has a goal to instill the true meaning of sportsmanship.

The Palaro aims also to instill lessons to athletes and students. According to the organization, values formation can be seen through sports and it is the aim of DepEd to affect such formation to the youth.

In addition, it transforms schools to help students put the drive into them the fantasy of sports. Definitely, it is not all about winning, but also losing as it teaches athletes a lesson to strive harder, progress more, and break their own limits. 

Building character is the most important goal of Palaro as it intends to mold every student-athlete the purest definition of being a champion, that is not only to value the game one wins but also adheres to the pain of losing into shaping oneself.

Athletes have one common goal in life—to experience the worthy feeling that they endured and prepared for so long. It is a dream for every athlete to represent their own region, even give them a ground and a humble step to represent the country in the near future.