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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider 2026 Palaro kicks off in Agusan; NCR guns for 19th straight crown

2026 Palaro kicks off in Agusan; NCR guns for 19th straight crown

Published May 24, 2026 03:08 pm

At A Glance

  • PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Action fires off at the 66th Palarong Pambansa on Monday, May 25, as the country's finest young athletes chase their dreams at various fronts in this annual grassroots tournament.
One of the Palarong Pambansa medals in Agusan del Sur. (Photo from the Department of Education's Facebook page)
One of the Palarong Pambansa medals in Agusan del Sur. (Photo from the Department of Education's Facebook page)
By CHRISTAN SALVAÑA

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Action fires off at the 66th Palarong Pambansa on Monday, May 25, as the country’s finest young athletes chase their dreams at various fronts in this annual grassroots tournament.

Athletics is expected to produce the first medalists at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Gov. D.O. Plaza Sports Complex, with the secondary girls’ 3,000-meter run and long jump events tipped to award gold medals to deserving youngsters. 

Also lined up are the javelin throw and shot put events, signaling the start of the medal race in the country’s premier sporting showcase.

Defending champion National Capital Region is once again heavily favored to strike early as it guns for a 19th straight overall crown.

The Big City dominated last year’s edition in Laoag, Ilocos Norte with 117 gold, 70 silver and 50 bronze medals, highlighted by seven-gold performances from swimmers Titus Raphael Sia and Sophia Rose Garra.

CALABARZON (47-68-66) and Western Visayas (44-54-58) completed the overall podium.

Host Agusan del Sur braces for a historic staging of the annual meet, welcoming over 10,000 student-athletes from the country’s 18 regions along with delegations from the National Academy of Sports and Philippine Schools Overseas.

Among the major additions this year is weightlifting, which officially debuts as a regular medal sport after serving as a demonstration event in the previous edition.

Football for secondary girls and futsal for elementary girls will also make their medal-event debuts, while karate, kickboxing and soft tennis are set as demonstration sports.

Muay thai and selected Para Games events, including sitting volleyball and table tennis, will be featured as exhibition events.

Related Tags

Palarong Pambansa NCR
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