NCR swimmer splashes way to Palarong Pambansa records

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NCR swimmer Titus Rafael Sia, 12, bags three gold medals and breaks two records on Day 1 of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa swimming competitions

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – National Capital Region swimmer Titus Rafael Sia went from winning a single bronze in the Palarong Pambansa last year to breaking records this year.

Sia dominated Day 1 of the swimming competitions as he bagged three gold medals and shattered two records in the elementary boys’ division at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City here on Tuesday, May 27.

The 12-year-old standout of Xavier School San Juan set new marks in the 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke then completed a golden treble for the day when he helped the NCR quartet rule the 4x50m medley relay.

“Last year, when I got bronze, it gave me the motivation to continue swimming,” Sia said.

“I have a passion for swimming. I find it fun because I can get new times and discover more about me and what can I do.”

Sia notched his first record in 200m freestyle with a time of 2 minutes and 7.86 seconds as he erased the previous mark of 2:08.12 set by Rafael Barreto of Central Luzon in 2013.

He continued his record-breaking exploits in the 100m backstroke, where Sia clocked 1:05.44 to eclipse the decade-old mark of 1:06.38 established in 2015 by Martin Isaak Seth of NCR.

In a class of his own, Sia finished over five seconds ahead of silver medalist Arc Renzy Valdez (1:10.36) and bronze medalist Marcus Jared Dula (1:11.36), who are both from Calabarzon.

Sia then teamed up with Reighlem Scziyo Salon, Findlay Jake Mackenzie, and Joshua Erik Chua on their way to the 4x50m medley relay gold.

There are more gold medals to be won and more records to be broken for Sia as he sees action in other events in the coming days.

“My goal is to get all seven golds and records and also making brand new friends because I want more friends,” said Sia, an incoming Grade 7 student.

Sia received support from his entire family, with his mother Hyce, father Nino, and two brothers making the trip to Ilocos Norte to watch him compete. – Rappler.com