PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Central Visayas runner Jhul Ian Cañalita shattered another Palaro record after breaking his own mark as he dominated the secondary boys’ 3,000-meter steeplechase event in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa on Wednesday, May 27, at the Datu Lipus Makapandong–Governor Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex.

Canalita concluded his final year as an eligible student-athlete with a performance of 9 minutes and 11.40 seconds, resetting his own record of 9:23.89 in last year’s Palaro in Ilocos Norte, where he also broke the 9:35.20 mark set by Central Visayas’ Jerry Vasquez in 2019.

Elmer Dizon of Cagayan Valley secured the silver medal in 9:33.32, while NCR’s Jaime Rafael settled for bronze in 9:47.10 in the tournament organized by the Department of Education and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Cañalita also eclipsed his own record in the secondary boys’ 5,000-meter race, clocking 15 minutes and 15.22 seconds last Tuesday, May 26.

The Boholano runner previously posted a Palaro record of 15:16.31 last year, which he also reset from the 15:38.40 mark by Cresencio Cabal in 1998.

Ilocos Region’s Eric Joachim Hechanova finished behind him in 15:37.58, while Elmer Dizon of Cagayan Valley settled for third in 15:56.43.

Cañalita also competed in the ASEAN School Games in Brunei last year where he bagged the gold medal in the 3,000 meters and shattered the record with a time of 8:47.52.

“Masaya po kasi last year ko na tapos nadepensahan ko yung main event ko. Masarap sa pakiramdam,” said Cañalita. “Worth it po talaga yung training namin sa Bohol.”

In swimming, five records were set as CALABARZON’s Charles Nathan Boneo clocked 27.77 seconds to surpass the 26-year-old Palaro record of 28.03 set by Ronald Guiriba in 2000 in the elementary boys’ 50-meter butterfly.

National Capital Region’s Patricia Mae Santor clocked 28.98 seconds to smash the 29.06 mark of Camille Lauren Buico set seven years ago.

Ilocos Region’s Anton Paulo Dominick Della set a new mark in the secondary boys’ 200-meter individual medley, clocking 2:09.97, eclipsing the 2:12.14 mark set by Peter Cyrus Dean in 2024.

In secondary boys’ 5v5 basketball, Ilocos Region blew out Eastern Visayas, 96-73, while Davao Region toppled Caraga, 69-59, and Western Visayas overpowered Northern Mindanao, 60-41.

In secondary boys’ football, Western Visayas shut out Bangsamoro, 5-0.

As of 2:58 p.m., National Capital Region stays atop the medal race with 12 gold, 6 silver, and 10 bronze medals, followed by CALABARZON with 9 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze medals. Western Visayas holds third (7-5-7), while Negros Island Region sits at fourth (6-4-2). Bicol Region ranks fifth with 5 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze medals.