Mindanao Athletes Excel in 2026 Palarong Pambansa
TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 2 June 2026) — Mindanao delegations delivered strong performances in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, demonstrating their competitiveness in national school sports.
Leading the Mindanao contingent was the Davao Region (Region XI), securing third place overall with 100 medals—34 gold, 32 silver, and 34 bronze. Host region Caraga (Region XIII) followed in sixth place with 97 medals (30 gold, 19 silver, 48 bronze), while Northern Mindanao (Region X) finished seventh with 89 medals (27 gold, 31 silver, 31 bronze).
Standout performances included 16-year-old Lys Jane Timbal of Davao Region, who clinched her region’s first athletics gold by winning the secondary girls’ 2,000-meter walkathon and setting a new Palaro record of 10 minutes and 7.69 seconds.
Caraga made history as Patin-ay National High School’s secondary girls’ football team took gold in the event’s debut. Meanwhile, Northern Mindanao boxers Steve John Canillo (U17 pinweight) and Jaervi June Hernani (U19 bantamweight), both from Bukidnon, along with wushu athlete Jarold Day Bacala, also secured gold medals.
With Davao Region, Caraga, and Northern Mindanao placing in the national top 10, the 2026 Palarong Pambansa highlights Mindanao’s growing prominence in sports. (Queenie Casio / MindaNews)
