TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Giethyl Lubguban and 17-year-old Sean Harry Narag claimed the first two gold medals at the start of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa at the Philsports track stadium on a rainy Monday morning in Pasig City.
Lubguban battled taller rivals to claim the meet’s first gold medal in the elementary girls’ high jump with a leap of 1.4 meters.
“Hindi ko expected na mananalo ako. Kasi, matatangkad ang mga kalaban ko,” said Lubguban, a sixth grader at the Upper Panikian Elementary School in Zamboanga del Sur.
Her rival, Briana Cacho from Tarlac, settled for the silver with her final clearance of 1.37 meters, while Ilonggo bet Shanelle Jane Felomino of Carles, Iloilo claimed the bronze medal (1.34 meters).
Narag, an incoming 12th grader at the University of Santo Tomas, made his coach, national team mentor Emerson Obiena proud and happy with a 3.90-meter leap in the secondary boys’ pole vault.
This gave the National Capital Region its first gold medal, while Narag’s schoolmate Mejen Sumbongan bagged the silver with his 3.80-meter jump.
Sixteen-year-old Eumar Mamogay from the Western Visayas Region took third place with 3.6 meters.
Narag, who wants to follow the footsteps of Emerson’s son Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, said he has improved after almost a year of training.
Many months ago, the elder Obiena took interest developing the skills of both Narag and Sumbongan, who were both in hurdles.
“Nakinig lang po ako kay coach. Inintindi ko lang po ang mga sinabi niya,” said Narag.
Actions shifts to the Marikina Sports Center today, with 17 gold medals at stake in athletics, while 18 will be up for grabs in swimming.
There will be events outside of Marikina on Tuesday, with billiards to be held at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal, football at the Ateneo field, softball at the Rizal High School in Pasig City and artistic gymnastics at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Rhythmic gymnastics will commence at the San Andres Complex in Manila, and tennis will be held at the Fin Asia Homes in Cainta, Rizal.
To be held in Marikina City are archery, arnis, futsal, taekwondo, basketball, football, tennis, and volleyball, along with badminton, sepak takraw, volleyball and wrestling.
There’s also chess, baseball, dancesport and wushu, to go with pencak silat, table tennis, bocce and goal ball.