Palarong Pambansa Opening. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
THE DEPARTMENT of Education, organizer of the annual Palarong Pambansa, expects new records to be set when the nationwide talent search unfolds April 9 to 17 in Legazpi City.
DepEd officials, led by Sec. Armin Luistro, were impressed by the strong showing of student-athletes during the 2015 edition in Tagum, Davao del Norte, where they broke at least 30 records in athletics and swimming.
Preparations are almost complete in the host province of Albay headed by Gov. Joey Salceda.
Luistro said the records in 2015 Davao de Norte Palaro should be “a goal to surpass” for the expected 10,000 participants in the meet coming from 18 regions in the country.
Last year, Northern Mindanao’s Jie Ann Calis shattered three of nine records in secondary girls’ athletics. That included the 800-meter run where she posted a new meet standard of two minutes, 12.27 seconds beating the 2:17.2 mark of Angelica de Josef in 2014.
The 16-year-old honor student from Misamis Occidental, also strung up record performances in 3,000m (10:10.16) and 1,500m (4:42.20).
National Capital Region ruled last year with 98 gold, 67 silver and 71 bronze medals.