General Santos City — A total of 33 gold medals will be at stake when the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Championships open Sunday at the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex in Barangay Calumpang.
Fourteen golds will be contested in athletics, while another 14 will be up for grabs in swimming—two of the most anticipated centerpiece events of the youth sports meet. Over at the Barangay Labangal Gymnasium, five gold medals will be awarded in weightlifting, covering the 10- and 11-year-old categories.
The annual grassroots tournament has drawn a record 18,741 athletes representing major cities and municipalities nationwide. The week-long competition runs from October 25 to 31.
A total of 188 local government units (LGUs) are participating, with Pasig City eyeing to defend its overall championship title. The powerhouse delegation has sent 675 athletes, backed by 162 coaches and 34 officials and support staff.
Last year, Pasig City dominated the overall standings with 105 gold, 64 silver, and 116 bronze medals.
Davao City, fielding a 713-member delegation, is also among the favorites in the 17-and-under national championship.
In the swimming events, attention will be on Titus Sia, who swept seven gold medals in the elementary division of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. The 13-year-old standout, who previously represented NCR, will now compete for Quezon City in the 12–13 age group.
Sia is expected to shine in the absence of Arvin Taguinota II, the 2024 Batang Pinoy’s most bemedalled athlete with six gold medals. Taguinota, now competing in the 14–15 age group, hails from Pasig City.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony on Saturday at the Acharon Sports Complex was graced by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juan Victor Remulla, who served as guest of honor. Also in attendance were General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio, and PSC Commissioner Bong Coo, the project director of Batang Pinoy 2025.
