AGUSAN DEL SUR — Western Visayas strengthened its campaign in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa after Ilongga thrower Althea Grace Prosperoso smashed a long-standing meet record and bannered another multi-medal haul for Region VI athletes in athletics, combat sports, swimming, and arnis competitions.
Prosperoso of Pototan, Iloilo etched her name in Palaro history after setting a new record in the elementary girls discus throw with a heave of 37.15 meters, eclipsing the previous mark of 35.56 meters.
The Barangay Naslo native delivered one of Western Visayas’ most dominant performances in the national meet and credited her achievement to the guidance and preparation provided by coaches Daryl Pareño, Anecito Feranco Jr., Leone Tiosayco, and Benedicto Prasas.
Region VI also celebrated another gold medal from sprint sensation Trixia Anne Arellano, who ruled the girls’ 100-meter dash to capture her second gold medal of the tournament.
Arellano once again displayed her speed and dominance on the national stage, further cementing her status as one of Western Visayas’ top young athletes. Her strong performance was credited to coaches Leone Tiosayco and Benedicto Prasas.
In the boys’ high jump event, Franklin Catera of Tigbauan, Iloilo staged a strong comeback by reclaiming the crown with a leap of 2.02 meters, tying the existing Palarong Pambansa record.
Catera, a former Batang Pinoy record holder, redeemed himself after failing to secure the title during last year’s edition in Laoag City.
Western Visayas continued to pile up medals in other events.
Narrish A. Alimodian bagged a silver medal in secondary athletics, while Jeza Mae L. Eulogio also contributed silver in elementary athletics.
Rheannah A. Moreno delivered another gold medal for Region VI after registering an 11.27-meter effort in the elementary athletics finals.
In arnis, Angelo D. Santuyo clinched silver in the elementary division, while Jean Rose A. Antonie also settled for silver in the elementary finals.
Princess Elijah R. Casas captured gold in secondary muay thai, while Alexis John P. Cerbas earned silver in the same discipline.
Western Visayas also dominated pencak silat as both the secondary boys and girls teams ruled their respective finals to secure gold medals for the region. Zyche Mae C. Jizmundo added a silver medal finish in secondary pencak silat.
In swimming, Jan Renier Pasadilla and Kassandra Jamandre each harvested bronze medals in their respective secondary finals.
Meanwhile, athletes from the Negros Island Region Visayan Vipers likewise sustained their strong campaign in athletics.
Aaron Jan Pahilagao won silver in the secondary boys’ 200-meter sprint, while Jasheen Dela Cruz also secured silver in the elementary girls shot put competition held at the Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex./PN
