Loraine Batalla of the Calabarzon Heroes, a gold medalist in the 2026 Palarong Pambansa. Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Many student-athletes not only won gold medals but also broke records in the Palarong Pambansa 2026 being held in Agusan del Sur.
Two athletes each broke two Palaro records in different categories and events.
Loraine Batalla of the Calabarzon Heroes, who has competed in several national and international tournaments, broke the Palaro record in the secondary girls’ 400-meter dash after clocking 56.12 seconds.
Palaro first-timer Ashley Nicole Silvor of the Negros Island Region Visayan Vipers also shattered the record in the elementary girls’ 400-meter dash with a time of 1:00.12.
“Nakita ko sa Facebook 'yung mga nanalo, tapos 'yung mga time nila, mas malakas pa sa akin, kaya hindi ako nag-expect,” she said.
Jhul Ian Cañalita of the Central Visayas Fighters not only broke one but two Palaro records in separate events — both of which he had also previously held.
He set a new Palarong Pambansa record in the secondary boys’ 5000-meter run with a time of 15:14. He also broke the Palaro record in the secondary boys’ 3000-meter steeplechase after finishing in 9:13.
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In the swimming event, Charles Nathan Boneo of the Calabarzon Heroes also broke the record in the elementary boys’ 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:30.63.
Boneo also broke the record in the elementary boys’ 50-meter butterfly after clocking 27.77 seconds, ending a 26-year mark.
Boneo still has other individual and relay events remaining, where he hopes to continue his strong performance.
Meanwhile, National Academy of Sports athlete Riannah Chantelle Coleman broke the Palaro record that she herself set last year in the secondary girls’ 100-meter breaststroke after posting a time of 1:12.99.