The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to expand the sporting landscape for young Filipino athletes by introducing weightlifting, pole vault for secondary girls, and pencak silat to the 65th Palarong Pambansa, scheduled for May 24 to 31, in Ilocos Norte.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara made the announcement during the opening ceremony of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Sports Meet, underscoring the government’s commitment to grassroots sports development.
“In the upcoming Palarong Pambansa, we will have weightlifting for the first time, with no less than Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz as our resource person,” Angara said.
“Maswerte po ang ating mga learner-athletes. It is your chance to try out these sports (Our learner-athletes are fortunate. This is your chance to try out these sports),” he added.
According to the agency, weightlifting will be introduced as a demonstration sport, while pole vault for secondary girls will now be a regular event in athletics.
Pencak silat, a Southeast Asian martial art, will also become a full-fledged sport after being a demonstration event since 2017.
Hidilyn Diaz celebrates weightlifting’s inclusion
The inclusion of weightlifting in the nation’s premier school-based sports competition marks a significant milestone for the sport, a move that Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, has long advocated.
“I have long hoped for my sport to once again be part of the biggest national sporting event for student-athletes in the Philippines. Now, it’s finally happening,” Diaz said.
She expressed gratitude for the support and assistance from the DepEd chief, the Palarong Pambansa Board, and the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP).
Diaz’s victory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics cemented her status as a national icon, and her involvement in the Palarong Pambansa is expected to inspire a new generation of Filipino weightlifters.
New sports reflect growing interest in athletics
DepEd said that the decision to add pole vault for secondary girls and weightlifting follows months of deliberations between Angara, Diaz, and world No. 4 pole vaulter EJ Obiena, both of whom have championed the inclusion of their respective disciplines in Palaro.
“Last year, Sec. Angara met with Diaz and Obiena on separate occasions to explore the possibility of including their proposed events in the Palaro,” DepEd said.
“Months later, their vision is set to become reality.”
In addition to weightlifting, the agency said pole vault, and pencak silat, kickboxing will be introduced as an exhibition sport, further diversifying the Palarong Pambansa lineup.
The 2025 Palarong Pambansa will be hosted by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte.
It is expected to gather around 15,000 participants from 18 delegations, including the National Academy of Sports.