24-05-2025
Ilocos Norte braces for 15K athletes for 65th Palarong Pambansa
The closing ceremony of Palarong Pambansa 2024. File photo via Ian Zane Esparaga
The province of Ilocos Norte is set to welcome over 15,000 delegates as it hosts the 65th Palarong Pambansa from May 24 to 31.
With this year's theme, 'Nagkakaisang Kapuluan,' the games aim to highlight national unity through sport while embracing a more modern, eco-conscious, and athlete-focused Palaro experience
This year, 20 delegations will compete in various sporting events, representing the 18 regions of the Philippines, the National Academy of Sports (NAS), and the Philippine Schools Overseas (PSO).
The Parada ng mga Atleta on Saturday, May 24, will serve as the opening event, with assembly beginning at 3 p.m. and the parade kicking off at 5 p.m. from Abadilla and J.P. Rizal Streets near the Laoag Public Market.
Honoring a local hero
The official Palarong Pambansa 2025 Ilocos Norte logo features a pixelated human figure inspired by the iconic posture of Teofilo Yldefonso, the legendary Olympic swimmer known as the 'Ilocano Shark.'
Yldefonso, who hailed from Piddig, Ilocos Norte, was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian Olympic medalist.
He is also remembered for his heroism during World War II.
Earlier, handwoven creations made by Inabel weavers from Paoay showcased Yldenfonso as the games' official icon.
The following are the participating athletic associations:
Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) – Ilocos Region
Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) – Cagayan Valley
Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) – Central Luzon
Southern Tagalog CALABARZON Athletic Association (STCAA) – CALABARZON
MIMAROPA Regional Athletics Association (MRAA) – MIMAROPA
Bicol Regional Athletic Association (BRAA) – Bicol Region
Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) – Western Visayas
Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) – Central Visayas
Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) – Eastern Visayas
Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) – Zamboanga Peninsula
Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) – Northern Mindanao
Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) – Davao Region
SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Athletic Association (SRAA) – SOCCSKSARGEN
Caraga Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) – Caraga
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMM-AA) – BARMM
Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) – Cordillera
National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) – NCR
National Academy of Sports (NAS)
Philippine Schools Overseas (PSO)
Over the weeklong event, delegates will compete in a wide range of sports — from popular team games like basketball, volleyball, and football, to individual events such as swimming, athletics, archery, and taekwondo.
Other featured sports include arnis, badminton, baseball, boxing, chess, dancesport, futsal, gymnastics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, tennis, wrestling, and wushu.
This year, weightlifting will be introduced as a demonstration sport, while kickboxing, football for secondary girls, and futsal for elementary girls will be staged as exhibition events.
Free cultural tours
Delegates can look forward to free Ilocos Norte tours on May 28 to 30, covering northern and southern zones of the province.
Two shuttles per zone will be stationed at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol and will depart at 8:30 a.m., or once full.
Entrance fees to tourist sites are waived, excluding optional activity charges. —GMA Regional TV
