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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Back to where it all began: Bacolod City to host 2026 Batang Pinoy

Back to where it all began: Bacolod City to host 2026 Batang Pinoy

Published Oct 31, 2025 01:22 pm

At A Glance

  • Batang Pinoy is going back to where it all began and it will surely be greeted by a warm welcome and big smile for its 2026 edition.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Batang Pinoy is going back to where it all began and it will surely be greeted by a warm welcome and big smile for its 2026 edition.
That, after the Philippine Sports Commission has formally announced Bacolod City – the home of the famous chicken inasal and Masskara Festival – as the next host of the premiere grassroots program.
Interestingly, Bacolod City was where the very first Batang Pinoy was held back in 1999.
General Santos City has formally turned over the hosting to Bacolod City during the closing ceremony of the colorful and festive 2025 Batang Pinoy at the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex on Thursday, Oct. 30 here.
“It is just fitting for Bacolod to host the 26th Batang Pinoy after several years, being among the pioneers of this grassroots sports program,” said PSC chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio.
Bacolod City mayor Greg Gasataya through a video message warmly welcomed the return of Batang Pinoy to their city – an event that they have not hosted since 2014.
“We are all very excited, we are thankful because Batang Pinoy ang dami na pong mga olympians na na-produce, the likes of Hidilyn Diaz, the likes of Caloy Yulo and I am quite sure a lot more ang mapo-produce po ng Batang Pinoy,” siad Gasataya.
General Santos City mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, on the other hand, expressed elation with the successful hosting of Batang Pinoy.
"Masaya po kami dahil napatunyaan namin at naipakita namin sa aming mga bisita na kayo ay parang pamilya na naming lahat. Sana po kung saan man kayo dalhin na next na mga events ninyo huwag n'yo pong kalimutan na naging bahagi din po ang General Santos City,” he added.
Meanwhile, the competitions across the city continue as the race for the overall championship heat up even in the final day of competitions on Friday, Oct. 31.
Quezon City ruled the boys 3x3 basketball after taking down Taguig, 21-16. Caloocan reigned supreme in the boys beach volleyball after beating Tarlac Province, 24-22, 22-20. The host city is playing against Davao City as of press time for the gold in the girls' side.
In chess, IM Christian Arca made a huge case as the boys’ most bemedalled athlete after capturing five golds, two silvers and a bronze.
He won the golds in Standard, Rapid 960, Blitz 960, ASEAN Rapid, and ASEAN Blitz, allowing Arca to overtake GenSan swimmer Christian Lagnason and Baguio City archer Chass Mhaiven Colas, who both grabbed four golds each.
As of the morning tally, Manila has retaken the lead from Pasig City after already collecting 32 golds, 28 silvers and 25 bronzes. The defending champion, on the other hand, is a close second with 30 golds, 19 silvers and 24 bronzes.
Baguio City isn’t too far behind either with 29 golds, 17 silvers and 22 bronzes while rounding out the top 5 are Quezon City (21-21-24) and Zamboanga City (18-12-6).
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