BACOLOD City — The 66th edition of the National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games saw a spectacular kickoff at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, on Saturday evening, May 9.
Beyond the impressive opening ceremonies, this year’s National PRISAA Games carries one major goal: to discover and develop the country’s next generation of Olympians.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has long acknowledged PRISAA as a vital launching pad for grassroots student-athletes — talents who possess the “might” in sports but are simply waiting for the right stage to be discovered.
National PRISAA chairman Ryan Mark Molina, in his welcome remarks, challenged the student-athletes to prove their worth across the various sporting events. Molina, who also serves as the president of STI West Negros University, emphasized that PRISAA serves as a bridge to discipline and excellence for student-athletes aiming to shine in various international sporting tourneys.
Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson echoed this sentiment, adding that while skill is essential, athletes must also master the virtue of respect.
Lacson said what matters most in PRISAA is not just winning or losing; it is about character, perseverance, and respect leading to playing with passion, integrity, and humility.
Co-hosted by the Province of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, National PRISAA 2026 has gathered 12,000 delegates — including student-athletes, coaches, and officials — representing 522 private schools from all 17 regions of the Philippines.
From May 10 to 16, athletes will compete in 21 sporting events and four cultural and academic contests. The sports lineup includes:
* Team sports (male and female): basketball (5×5 and 3×3), volleyball, beach volleyball, football, baseball, softball, and sepak takraw
* Individual/dual sports (male and female): athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, karatedo, boxing, archery, billiards, gymnastics, dancesport, and weightlifting
* Cultural/academic: Mutya ng PRISAA, PRISAAyawan, vocal solo & duet, and oration
The PRISAA program has a storied history of producing world-class talent, most notably Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz. Before her historic triumphs in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Diaz was a PRISAA standout during her college years.
Other PRISAA “babies” who rose to the Olympic stage include weightlifters Elreen Ann Ando and John Februar Ceniza, and athletics legends Mona Sulaiman and Josephine de la Viña.
Gov. Lacson expressed his pride in co-hosting the 66th edition, noting that the event opens doors for new friendships between Negrenses and visitors from across the archipelago.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City’s Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed his hopes for a memorable stay for all delegates in the “City of Smiles.”
As a special gesture, the city is providing free Wi-Fi access at every billeting center to keep delegates connected./PN
