TRUE TO their words, athletes from the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association made their presence felt as it climbed to sixth over-all in the medal standings at the close of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa in Antique.
The region closed out its campaign in the weeklong competition backed by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Sports Commission with 26 gold medals, 21 silver and 21 bronze medals for an improved sixth place from a dismal ninth place finish in last year’s edition.
The 26 gold medal output, the highest for the region in three years, failed to surpass its fourth place finish in 2015 and fifth place in 2014 where it only had 24 gold medal output.
Taekwondo accounted the most medal haul with 9-10-6 while archery had 4-2-3.
In chess, Cordillera also bagged four gold medals courtesy of Samantha Glo Revita and Bea Mendoza. Revita took the gold in the individual standard category while Mendoza took home the gold in the blitz contest.
The duo also took home the gold medal in the team standard and blitz division.
Wushu, meanwhile, accounted for three gold medals including two silver and three bronze while athletics, thanks to Jeremiah Hipol, who took home the gold in the 400-meter dash, 800-meter run, and 1,500 meter run contributed three gold medals and one silver.
Arnis had 2-2-5 with wrestling adding 1-3-2.
Charmaine Angela Villamor's record breaking performance in archery may name her as the best performing athlete for the region with four gold medals including one silver and one bronze.
Palarong Pambansa medal winners received cash incentives in recognition of their excellent performances in the national games.
Incentives given were P3,000 for gold medalists, P2,000 for silver and P1,000 for bronze awardees.
The incentives of the athletes were part of the P30 million downloaded by DepEd Central Office to the DepEd Antique Division for the Palaro. (Roderick Osis)