Got it from momma: NCR sprint champion continues mother’s Palaro legacy

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Sprinting runs in the blood of National Capital Region's Pi Durden Wangkay as he stars in the athletics competitions of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa just like her mother did decades ago

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – Like mother, like son.

Sprinting runs in the blood of National Capital Region’s Pi Durden Wangkay as he starred in the athletics competitions of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa just like her mother did decades ago.

Wangkay claimed the title as the “Sprint King” by clinching the secondary boys’ 100m gold at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City here on Wednesday, May 28, to go with the 200m title he won earlier.

The 16-year-old standout of De La Salle Zobel got it from his momma.

Back in the 1990s, his mother, Jonah Genilza, also dominated the Palaro as she ruled the secondary girls’ sprint events, even setting the 400m record that stood for over a decade before it got broken. 

“It is the best feeling that I’m succeeding the legacy of my mother,” said Wangkay in Filipino. 

Genilza enjoyed a successful career beyond the Palaro.

She suited up for La Salle in the UAAP and represented the Philippines in international meets as part of the national team.

Her expertise is coming in handy as Genilza also coaches her son.

“My experiences before, plus the new things I’ve learned, especially now that there is sports science, I’m able to apply to him,” said Genilza. 

“I always tell him to trust his training. As her coach and as her mother, I give him my all-out support.” 

Wangkay wants to don the national colors as well.

“Competing internationally is one of my long-term goals as a young athlete,” said Wangkay. – Rappler.com