NCR nets highest gold haul in over a decade for 18th straight Palaro overall title

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NCR dominates from start to finish en route to the 2025 Palarong Pambansa overall championship, highlighted by the campaigns of five student-athletes who won at least five gold medals each

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – National Capital Region coasted to its 18th straight overall championship in the Palarong Pambansa as it put together its finest campaign in over a decade.

The Metro Stars dominated the 2025 edition from start to finish and collected a whopping 117 gold medals on top of 70 silvers and 50 bronzes at the end of the competitions on Saturday, May 31.

Out of nine Palaro standouts who won at least five gold medals, five student-athletes came from NCR as the region stamped its class in swimming, athletics, and gymnastics.

Swimmers Sophia Rose Garra and Titus Sia captured the most gold medals with seven each, while sprinter Jeralyn Rodriguez, gymnast Arman Hernandez Jr., and swimmer Patricia Mae Santor bagged five apiece — the quintet accounting for one-fourth of the Metro Stars’ golden haul.

This Palarong Pambansa witnessed NCR reach 100 gold medals for the first time since 2018 and win its most gold medals since it won 114 in 2013.

Other top performers for NCR included gymnasts King Cjay Pernia and Zayanna Ysabel Enriquez, sprinter Pi Durden Wangkay, and swimmer Ryian Zach Danzel Belen, who scored four gold medals each.

While NCR failed to defend its throne in secondary boys’ basketball, it reclaimed the crown in secondary girls’ volleyball and shut the door on Western Visayas’ three-peat bid.

Calabarzon clinched second overall for the second straight year with 47 golds, 68 silvers, and 66 bronzes as it once again edged Western Visayas, with chess standout Mar Aviel Carredo emerging as the best performer for Southern Tagalog with six gold medals.

Western Visayas claimed 44 golds, 54 silvers, and 58 bronzes for third place.

Both Calabarzon and Western Visayas saw a drop in number of gold medals won after they nailed 57 and 56, respectively, last year in Cebu City.

Davao came close to cracking the top three with 43 golds on top of 28 silvers and 36 bronzes as it improved on its 32-gold haul last year.

In fact, Davao placed second overall at the secondary level behind NCR, with dancesport ace Bhenz Rudolf Owen Semilla capturing six gold medals as he shared the distinction as the best performing high school athlete with Carredo.

From ninth last year, Northern Mindanao made a huge leap and completed the top five with 31 golds, 26 silvers, and 46 bronzes followed by Central Luzon (29-25-36), Central Visayas (25-32-51), Caraga (21-20-43), CAR (17-13-11), and Eastern Visayas (16-17-21).

The National Academy of Sports (NAS) also enjoyed a significant jump in ranking as it finished 14th overall with 6 golds, 2 silvers, and 6 bronzes after placing second to last in Cebu City with a 1-5-2 haul.

Swimmer Riannah Chantelle Coleman shone for NAS with three gold medals that came with two Palaro records.

The Palaro returns to Mindanao next year as Agusan del Sur hosts the 66th edition. – Rappler.com