THE City of Baguio turned to its traditional goldmine in combat sports and found a gem in a young archer to pull away in the gold medal standings of Batang Pinoy competitions held in various venues in Metro Manila, with the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as the main hub.

Living up to its reputation as the country’s martial arts capital, Baguio bagged seven golds in taekwondo and five in judo late Thursday (21 Dec 2023) to boost its gold tally to 32, with 25 silvers and 40 bronzes, and its bid for a fourth consecutive overall championship.

Delivering for Baguio in poomsae events were Jins Kate Julliane Cortez in the Individual Cadet Female, Caleb Angelo Calde (Individual Cadet Male) Acey Kiana Oglayon (Individual Junior Female), and Jaidev Nicolas Montalbo, Marcus Jared Maquiray, and Ryan Cliftin Nabejet joining hands for the Team Male Cadet gold.

Also rising to the occasion were Angel Lyn Yvainne Dacanay and Caleb Angelo Calde in the Mixed Pair Cadet; Aesha Kiaa Oglayon at Jonas Sales in the Mixed Pair Junior; and Angelyn Yvainne Dacanay, Kate Julliane Cortez and Trisha Lobbonan in the Poomsae Team Female Cadet

Chass Mhaiven Nawew Colas also pocketed two more golds in archery, topping the 60-meter recurve and Male 15-under 1440-round recurve, raising her gold production to four, after winning the Male 15-under 30-meter recurve and Male 15-under 40-meter recurve events the day earlier.

Colas had the chance to increase his gold haul to seven as he was to compete in three more events—Olympic Round, Mixed Team Event, and Team Events–late Friday, the final day of the Philippine Sports Commission’s premiere grassroots competition for 17-year-olds below.

“My goal always when I compete is to beat myself, to become a better person. I don’t expect to win all the time, I just enjoy the games, but I’m still surprised when I win,” said the 14-year-old Baguio City National High School student.

Baguio City’s official tally is expected to rise even more after nine kickboxers delivered gold-laden performances in the Kick Light and Point Fighting finals early in the morning.

They were Janna Mae Tinay Kicklight in the Juniors Female 42.1-46kg, Shekinah Jonan Lab-oyan (Kicklight Juniors Female 501.-55kg), Lorenzo Iseo Jr., Kicklight Juniors Male (47.1-52kg), Jeyhan Bestre Kicklight (Older Cadets Male 37.1-42kg), Gerwin Lete (Kicklight Older Cadets Male 47.1-52kg), Leejohn Masedman (Kicklight Older Cadets Male 52.1-57kg), Klerhol Cabinto (Point Fighting Young Cadets Female 32.1-37kg), Stephanie Lipiano (Point Fighting Young Cadets Female 37.1-42kg) and Clark Fattit( Point Fighting Older Cadets Male 28.1-32).

Pasig City, propelled by Arabella Taguinota’s six-gold medal haul in swimming, moved to second place with 25-27-40.

Erstwhile second-placer City of Cebu fell to third place with 20 golds, 15 silvers, and 21 bronzes while Davao is in close fourth with 20 -14-16, followed by Zamboanga City (18-6-5)

Several events were still being played as of press time on the final day on Friday for Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games that were to be concluded with unified closing rites at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Local Government Unit that will emerge as overall champion will receive a cash prize of P5 million with the second placer getting P4 million, the third P3 million, the third P2 million, and the fifth 1 million, respectively.