Batang Pinoys Shine: Cebu City Claims 15 Golds, Mandaue Rises
Cebu City's Dominance in Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Niños have made a strong impression in the ongoing Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships held in General Santos City. So far, they have accumulated an impressive 15 gold medals, according to the latest update from the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC). This marks a significant improvement over the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) initial tally on October 29, which listed Cebu City with only seven golds, seven silvers, and three bronzes.
As of now, the city has secured 15 golds, 21 silvers, and 22 bronzes, placing them in a competitive position for the overall standings. Their performance has been nothing short of remarkable, with the team adding eight more golds after securing seven in the first two days of competition.
Jiu-Jitsu Team Shines with Multiple Victories
The jiu-jitsu team of Cebu City has been a standout performer, with several athletes contributing to the city’s growing medal count. Gabriel Benavides, Sarah Lee Tio, and Jinani Agbayani Jr. were among the top achievers. Benavides claimed victory in the 44-kilogram teen boys (12–13) gi category, while Tio dominated the 63-kg teen girls (14–15) division. Agbayani Jr. emerged victorious in the 69-kg teen boys (14–15) class.
Under the guidance of coach Niño Castro, the jiu-jitsu team also brought home four silvers and four bronzes in the gi events, showcasing their depth and strength in the sport.
Other Notable Performances
Alexis Carmeli Patalinghug added another gold to the city’s tally by winning the female advanced kata (16–17) category in karatedo. In weightlifting, Princess Angel Ando secured a gold in the girls’ 53-kg division, demonstrating her strength and skill.
Cayden Yamat shone in gymnastics, earning two golds—one in the individual all-around and another in the high bar. He also took silver in the parallel bars and bronze in the pommel horse. David Bolongaita capped off the day with a gold in the 18-under javelin throw, breaking the Batang Pinoy record with a throw of 56.68 meters, surpassing the previous mark of 55.10 meters.
Mandaue City Makes a Statement
Mandaue City is also making waves in the competition, with five gold medals so far. Ace swimmer Rhian Casey Casona led the charge, winning the 100-meter and 50-meter backstroke events in the girls’ 14–15 category. Her time of 31.92 seconds in the 50m backstroke set a new benchmark, breaking the previous Batang Pinoy record of 32.35 seconds.
JZ Han S. Nemil contributed two more golds for Mandaue by winning the gymnastics individual all-around and parallel bars events. Niño Joaquim A. Belecarío also earned a gold in the vault event in his age group.
Toledo City Secures Two More Golds
Toledo City added two more gold medals to its tally through the efforts of international taekwondo jin Jose Martin Omayan and woodpusher Reduard Contaoi. Omayan, a silver medalist in the 2025 Asian Cadet Championships, won the cadet male middleweight kyorugi event. Contaoi, on the other hand, claimed gold in the rapid individual chess event and added a silver in the blitz category.
Apple Rubin had previously secured Toledo’s first gold in the girls’ blitz chess event, setting the stage for the city’s continued success.
Baguio City Leads the Medal Tally
As of the latest official PSC update, Baguio City leads the medal tally with 23 golds, 11 silvers, and 15 bronzes. Manila follows closely with 15 golds, 15 silvers, and 13 bronzes. Pasig City, Quezon City, and General Santos City round out the top five.
With Cebu City’s recent surge in golds, it is expected to climb into the top five once the next official medal update is released. The city’s performance continues to impress, solidifying its reputation as a powerhouse in the Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships.
