Roller coaster of emotions as Eastern Visayas runner bags 1st gold of 2025 Palarong Pambansa

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Eastern Visayas' Chrisia Mae Tajarros, the first gold medalist of the 2025 Palarong Pamabansa, turns emotional as she comes out on top this time after settling for silver last year

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – Eastern Visayas’ Chrisia Mae Tajarros ran the gamut of emotions after clinching the first gold medal of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.

First, there was relief as Tajarros found redemption as she ruled the secondary girls’ 3,000m run in dominant fashion at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City here on Monday, May 26.

The incoming Grade 9 student broke away from the pack early and clocked 10 minutes and 18.6 seconds — nearly 30 seconds ahead of the next finisher — to come out on top this time after settling for silver in the same event in Cebu City last year.

“I thank God because He heard my prayers and saw my sacrifices in training,” said Tajarros in Filipino. “I cry in training sometimes. But I use that as my motivation to get the gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa.”

There was also regret as the 13-year-old missed out on shattering the Palarong Pambansa record of 10:03.4 set by Davao Region’s Mea Gey Ninura in 2016.

After crossing the finish line, Tajarros embraced coach Damaso Olidan to seek comfort.

“I dreamt of breaking the record,” said Tajarros after missing it by 15 seconds. “But coach said it was okay even if I did not. Whether I break it or not, I should be grateful to the Lord.”

Ultimately, there was joy as Tajarros pulled through to complete her unfinished business after placing second to Central Visayas’ Asia Paraase, who earned the distinction as the first Palarong Pambansa gold medalist last year.

Tajarros worried about not making the cut for this edition after battling physical troubles in the lead-up to the Palarong Pambansa, but that did not deter her from her crowning moment.

“All my hard work was worth it. I thought I would not make it here because I was dealing with muscle pain during our regionals. I wanted to quit, but coach said it was up to me to find a way,” said Tajarros.

Caraga’s Mary Mae Magbanua finished a distant second with a time of 10:48.4 for the silver, while Ilocos Region’s Nathalei Faye Miguel bagged bronze with 10:50.4. – Rappler.com