Latest news with #PalarongPambansa
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- General
- GMA Network
9,200 students in Capiz, Negros receive school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation
A total of 9,200 students in the provinces of Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental received complete school supplies from the GMA Kapuso Foundation. According to '24 Oras" Friday, Capiz is known as the seafood capital of the country, where the lives of many residents revolve around the sea. Meanwhile, in Barangay Roberto S. Benedicto, La Carlota, Negros Occidental, several young individuals who are passionate about sports also dream of earning a college diploma. Some of these students have even competed in tennis at the Palarong Pambansa. Eight-year-old Zander, for instance, hopes to secure a sports scholarship for college, which would greatly assist his family, particularly his father, who works at a sugar mill. 'Nagagamit talaga nila ito sa kanilang pag-aaral kasi libre ang pag-aaral nila. Ngayon, may mga apat na player ako andiyan sa college sa Bacolod. Free tuition,' said Capt. Atet Guba, Brgy. Roberto S. Benedicto, La Carlota, Negros Occidental. As part of GMA Kapuso Foundation's 'Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan' project, 9,200 Kinder and Grade 1 students in Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental received complete sets of school supplies. 'Nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa mga bata. Mga gastos ng mga magulang para sa supplies, puwede nang magastos sa ibang pangangailangan,' Roel Bermejo, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Capiz, said. 'Karamihan sa mga magulang ay financially hard-up kasi off-season ngayon ng milling. Malaki talaga ang naitulong,' said Jen-Ann V. Rosal, EdD, CSE, OIC Assistant Schools Superintendent, La Carlota DepEd. For those who want to take part in GMA Kapuso Foundation's initiatives, you may send your donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada. For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website. —Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Filipino Times
From delivering ice to becoming a veteran triathlete: August Benedicto bags Bagong Bayani Award
Long before the finish lines, medals, and global competitions, August Benedicto's story began on a bike, not racing, but delivering blocks of ice under the heat of the Tarlac sun. With eight siblings and a family struggling to make ends meet in Paniqui, young August knew that education was a luxury he had to fight for. So he peddled through early mornings, balancing schoolbooks with sacks of ice, chasing dreams that, back then, seemed far from the Ironman banners he'd one day cross. Now 41, Benedicto has become one of the most enduring names in Philippine triathlon. At the recently concluded Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay, held under grueling 40-degree heat, the Ireland-based Filipino veteran dug deep once again, finishing second overall with a time of 4 hours, 40 minutes, and 58 seconds. His performance earned him the Bagong Bayani award, a special recognition given to elite Filipino athletes who continue to raise the flag in international endurance sports. The course, brutal by any standard, featured a 1.9-kilometer swim, a 90-kilometer bike ride, and a punishing 21-kilometer run. Benedicto split 31:19 in the swim, 2:30:06 on the bike, and capped it off with a 1:33:59 run—yet another strong showing in a career that has spanned over two decades. From school to international tracks It's a journey built on quiet sacrifice. His first foray into competitive sports came at 14, when he was discovered for his raw talent in long-distance running. From school-level track meets to eventually earning a slot in the Palarong Pambansa, Benedicto made each opportunity count. He took on his first duathlon in 2003 and finished near the bottom of the pack. But the fire had been lit. By 2005, he was part of the Philippine Sports Commission's training pool and represented the country at the Southeast Asian Games in Pattaya, Thailand, clinching a bronze medal. It was there that he met British triathlete and future Ironman legend Chrissie Wellington, who encouraged him to try his hand at the sport that would later define his athletic life. He joined his first Ironman 70.3 in 2009 in Camarines Sur and finished as the fourth Filipino to complete the course. In 2012, he made history by clinching his first Filipino Elite title at Cobra Ironman 70.3, a feat he repeated in 2014, 2015, and 2016. 'I was so excited for this year's race,' Benedicto said after the event. 'Just imagine, I'm already 41 and I'm still competing with younger athletes, national team members, and elite triathletes. But I focused on my training — 10 to 15 hours a week, every week. One hour swimming, one hour running, and 100 kilometers of biking every weekend.' Sights on World Championships Dedication, it seems, is the fuel that keeps Benedicto going. He credits his wife Anna and longtime friend Cesar Manlikmot as pillars of support through the highs and lows. 'This award is for my family. For Anna. For everyone who stood by me,' he said with pride. As the finish line at Subic fades into memory, a new goal already looms: the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Mabea, Spain, this November. Benedicto is training for that with the same fire that once drove a teenage boy to deliver ice — not just to help his family, but to carve out a future no one thought possible. Also shining in Subic was Iriga City's John Patrick Ciron, who won the men's elite title with a time of 4:37:28, while Indonesia's Dea Salsabila Putri topped the women's division in 5:26:22. Erika Nicole Burgos, another Filipino standout, placed third in the women's elite category with 5:32:30, earning her a Bagong Bayani award alongside Benedicto. — Alona Cochon
GMA Network
31-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Scottie Thompson proud of Davao's historic title in Palaro basketball
Davao Region has won its maiden title in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa secondary basketball and no one is prouder than former Davao athlete Scottie Thompson. Thompson, who bannered the Davao squad in 2010, said he is proud especially since his former teammate Jess Evangelio steered the team to the title. "Truly proud sa Davao region, especially kay Coach Jess, kasama ko siya representing Davao City in 2010," Thompson recalled. "Para sa kanya 'yun, ibinigay ni God sa kanya 'yun kasi ang dami niyang history sa Palarong Pambansa, especially marami na siyang nakasali doon as a player. Binigay ni God sa kanya as a coach 'yung gold medal para sa region." Thompson said the Palarong Pambansa in 2010 was a turning point in his career as he was discovered there by the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. "Without Palarong Pambansa, hindi ako makakarating sa Manila, hindi ako makukuha ng Perpetual. Doon ako na-scout so malaking bagay ang Palarong Pambansa," Thompson said, adding that the current crop of student-athletes are seen on bigger platforms. With Davao taking home the crown, is Thompson also looking to bring in some of the athletes from his hometown to Manila, particularly in Perpetual where he serves as team manager of the men's basketball team? "May kinakausap kami. Sana, alam naman nating bakbakan sa pagkuha ng players," Thompson said. "Sana madaan ko sa kausap 'yung teammate ko dati na 'yung mga pinakamagaling namin, makuha namin. Kung puwede lahat eh," he said in jest. "Sana may makuha kami especially galing sa hometown ko and matulungan na makapaglaro rito." "Malay mo, isa sa kanila ang future ng Philippine basketball." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
31-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Agusan del Sur to host 2026 Palarong Pambansa
ILOCOS NORTE - With the tournament finding home in the north, the Palarong Pambansa is now heading south next as Agusan del Sur is set to host the 66th edition next year. Agusan del Sur governor Santiago Cane formally accepted the hosting duty on Saturday as Ilocos Norte successfully hosted the 65th edition in various towns and municipalities in the province. "We accept this responsibility with pride and a deep sense of purpose. Our commitment is very clear: to deliver a safe, inclusive, and memorable Palarong Pambansa," Cane said during the closing ceremony on Saturday at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena. "Furthermore, this is not just a victory for us in the local government but also a powerful source of inspiration to every young athlete in our province who aspires to achieve excellence through sports." Cane said Agusan del Sur has been ready to host student-athletes, coaches, and other delegates from all over the country next year, sharing they have upgraded the sports facilities and equipment. He added that the province has also strengthened its tourism in bid to promote sports. "For a long time, the province of Agusan del Sur has aspired to host one of the most prestigious sporting events in the country, the Palarong Pambansa," he added. "With this in mind, we are strengthening our sports and youth development services along with the upgrading of our facilities, equipment, and tourist sites to promote sports tourism in the province." Region 13, where Agusan del Sur is a part of, finished eighth in the recent Palarong Pambansa with 21 gold medals alongside 20 silver and 43 bronze as National Capital Region (NCR) topped anew with a 117-gold, 70-silver, and 50-bronze haul. READ | Palarong Pambansa medal tally —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
31-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
NCR extends Palarong Pambansa supremacy with 18th straight overall crown
ILOCOS NORTE - NCR has once again asserted its athletic mastery as the Big City emerged as the overall champion in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, extending its reign for the 18th straight edition now. NCR athletes plucked 117 gold medals laced with 70 silver medals and 50 bronze medals to rule the 19-region field that went at it for a week in various towns in Ilocos Norte. No other region came close, with Region IV-A (CALABARZON) finishing a distant second with 47 golds, 68 silvers, and 66 bronzes while Region VI (Western Visayas) rounded out the top three with 44 golds, 54 silvers, and 58 bronzes. NCR harvested most of its gold medals from swimming, athletics, and gymnastics. Swimmers Titus Sia and Sophia Garra each had seven medals, becoming the most bemedalled athletes in the tournament, while graduating Jeralyn Rodriguez collected five gold medals in track and field. Gymnast Arman Hernandez from Pasay City and swimmer Patricia Santos from Manila also had an overwhelming five-gold haul while Pi Durden Wangkay of Muntinlupa City grabbed four golds in athletics. NCR also ruled the secondary girls volleyball after National University Nazareth School dominated two-time defending champions Western Visayas in the finals. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
