"A true champion."

That's how House Speaker Martin Romualdez described Chrisia Mae Tajarro, the track and field competitor who bagged the first gold medal of this year's Palarong Pambansa.

"I join the entire province of Leyte and the people of Eastern Visayas in proudly congratulating Chrisia Mae Tajarros for winning the first gold medal of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa," Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, said in a statement Monday, May 26.

"At just 13 years old, Chrisia Mae has shown the heart of a true champion. Her victory in the 3,000-meter run is a story of redemption, perseverance, and unshakable determination. Coming from last year’s second-place finish, she returned stronger—wiser, faster, and more focused," he said.

Romualdez said Tajarros was trained at the Leyte Sports Academy. She is a student of Tanauan National High School.

"Her success is a testament to what we can achieve when we invest in our young athletes," said the Speaker, who added that Tarrajos "embodies the promise of our youth and the potential of grassroots sports development".

"We celebrate her as the pride of Leyte and the pride of the nation. Her triumph is not only measured by medals—it is marked by courage, discipline, and the power of never giving up," said the lawyer and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president. 

"On behalf of the House of Representatives and the people of the first district of Leyte, I salute you, Chrisia Mae. May this be the first of many more victories in your journey. Mabuhay ka (Long live)," he further said.