Jie Ann Calis. Photo from Airnel T. Abarra, https://pinoymiler.wordpress.com/ wire in Palarong Pambansa 2012
DAPITAN CITY—A middle-distance runner from Misamis Occidental forced by circumstances to shift to jumping came away with the games’ first gold medal even as thirteen-year-old triplets from Iloilo City dazzled in pencak silat yesterday in the first full day of competition in the POC-PSC Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg 2012 here.
Jie Anne Calis, a petite seventh grader from Look National High School, ended up joining the girls’ 13-under long jump held during a morning drizzle at Jose Rizal Memorial State University sports complex after organizers cancelled the track events because the oval was in poor shape.
But Calis, a Palarong Pambansa standout who was originally entered in the 1,500- and 800-meter runs, still proved a winner in her new event, clearing 4.25 meters in the week-long competition which serves as qualifying for the national finals in Iloilo City on Dec. 5 to 9.
“I’m surprised to win because I’m really a runner,” said Calis in Filipino.
Sharing the spotlight were triplets John Carl, John Christian and John Clark Segutier, who dominated the national finals of pencak silat held at Rizal Memorial Institute courts.
Born just seconds apart in Infanta, Molo, Iloilo City, they first shared the gold in regu (team choreographed tactics). First born John Carl then collared the gold in tunggal (solo artistic), while John Christian and John Clark won in ganda (doubles choreograped tactics).
The triplets, grade six students of Rizal Elementary School and trained by coach Lino Baldevarona, were seeded to compete in the arnis national finals. They won golds in arnis two years ago in the Batang Pinoy Manila leg.
Meanwhile, three Saranggani boxers wearing shirts with the image of Manny Pacquiao reached the semifinals as they held their ground against the crack fighters from Panabo City and Misamis Oriental which sent four and three fighters to the medal rounds, respectively.
Dave Mark Apolinario (32 kg), Steven Apolinario (42 kg) and Rodney Panerio (34 kg) advanced for Saranggani. Panabo’s semifinalists were Ferdinand Apat (44 kg), Khem Jhon Samoramos (42 kg), Jiple Jay Cabrera (38 kg) and Jeffrey Miras (32 kg). Scoring for Misamis were Carlo Paalam (38 kg), Junil Pamisa (42 kg) and Lambert Daming (44 kg).
General Santos City actually finished with three golds in athletics through Fauzi del Rio in the girls’ 14-15 long jump, Mary Jane Lawas in the girls’ 14-15 shot put, and Louie Restauro in the boys’ 13-under long jump.
Also turning in golden performances were Jayra del Rosario of Misamis Occidental (girls’ 13-under shot put), Lian Julius Galinga of Davao City (boys’ 13-under shot put), David James Francisco of Zamboanga City (boys’ 14-15 shot put), and Ganah Elizalde of Zamboanga City (girls’ 14-15 long jump).