Smashing debut: NCR runner Cris Ivan Domingo breaks 27-year-old Palaro record

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This 12-year-old son of a construction worker hardly looks like a Palarong Pambansa first-timer, toppling a 400m run record that stood for nearly three decades

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – The National Capital Region’s Cris Ivan Domingo made his Palarong Pambansa debut one to remember.

The son of a construction worker, Domingo ruled the elementary boys’ 400-meter dash in the national games’ 2025 edition, smashing a 27-year-old record with a time of 54.29 seconds.

The previous best was held by Western Mindanao’s Sajipa Bassal, who clocked in at 54.30 seconds in 1998.

“Maraming taong sumusuporta sa akin. Dapat ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko para manalo,” the 12-year-old student said, sharing the thoughts racing in his head during the competition.

(There are so many people supporting me, so I should give my best to win.)

When he realized he came in first place and that all his hard work had paid off, the student from Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School in Pasay City reveled in his victory.

“Feeling ko po na siguro deserve ko po ‘to na makuha ko po ‘yung first [place] and dahil nga po sa pagsuporta sa akin ng mga nagsusuporta po sa akin, lalo na ‘yung mga magulang ko at coaches po,” he told Rappler.

(I feel like I deserved to get first place and it’s also because of everyone who supports me, especially my parents and coaches.)

With Domingo just getting started, he’s been operating on a simple mantra: that in order to win, you have to develop “lakas ng loob” or mental toughness.

The 2025 Palarong Pambansa will continue until May 31 in Ilocos Norte. This is the first time since 1968 that the province is hosting the games. – Rappler.com