BAGUIO BOY racing phenom Iñigo Anton to raise the Philippine flag in the 2025 Formula 4 SEA Championship under BlackArts Racing. With the guidance of former F1 driver Alex Yoong, Iñigo is set to embark on his first full season in Formula Cars. Iñigo won back to back rookie wins last year in F4 AUS and he has his eyes set on winning the overall rookie championship this 2025. Iñigo is backed by Motul Philippines Infiniteserv Int’l., Alpinestars, Yokohama BLU Coffee and the Automobile Association of the Philippines. We are all rooting for you. GOD SPEED, Iñigo!

  The MPTC Tour of Luzon 2025 reached its conclusion in Baguio City, as top cyclists faced the legendary uphill route through Kennon Road to Camp John Hay. After 1,074 kilometers of relentless racing over eight stages, Korean rider Dae Yeong Joo of Gapyeong Cycling emerged victorious—winning by a heart-stopping six seconds and earning the ₱1 million grand prize! His triumph capped a race that welcomed international riders from across Asia, reinforcing the Philippines’ growing status as a hub for world-class cycling events. Historically, Baguio has always been the ultimate test—featured in iconic races like the Marlboro Tour and Ronda Pilipinas—thanks to its grueling mountain roads, high-altitude climate, and scenic but challenging terrain. It’s where the strong rise, and champions are forged. Stage 8 was no exception. With the final push into the Cordilleras, the individual classification podium was dominated by Filipino talent: Stage 8 Individual Classification Winners Joshua Pascual (Excellent Noodles Cycling Team) Jan Paul Morales (Standard Insurance – PhilCycling) Jonel Carcueva (MPTC Development Team) Adding to his remarkable performance, #14 Joshua Pascual was also named the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2025 Eagle of the Mountain, clocking in an impressive 04:16:14 on the uphill assault—cementing his place as one of the country’s premier climbing specialists. Organized by DuckWorld PH and presented by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), this event proved once again that the Cordilleras is more than just a destination—it is a challenge, an experience, and a crown jewel of sports tourism in the Philippines. Come ride where legends are born. Come find yourself in the Cordilleras. Congratulations to all the winners—and hats off to DuckWorld PH and MPTC for bringing back the thrill of the Tour of Luzon!    

It’s official—the Schools Division Office of Isabela is now a back-to-back regional sports champion, reasserting its stronghold in the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet with a much-improved performance from last year’s edition. The Isabeleño athletes put on masterclass outings in various sporting events to deliver on their promise of keeping the crown in the Queen’s grasp, racking up 318 medals with 117 golds, 101 silvers, and 100 bronzes. “Ang mindset po naming lahat e i-keep po ang pagdodominate sa swimming para tumaas po tayo sa ranking at hindi po maagaw ang championship,” Eric Virgilio Reyes, a Palarong Pambansa qualifier and one of Isabela’s most decorated swimmers, said. 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋 Coming into this year’s CAVRAA Meet, the green armies were primed to prevail as they were in a much better condition after their 40-day training regimen, a 63-percent increase from their 15-day preparation in 2024. “Siniguro natin na talagang maayos at mahaba ang pag-eensayo ng ating athletes para sa CAVRAA. ‘Yung dating 15 days last year, nagawa nating dagdagan sa 40 ngayon, kaya alam kong mas lalo tayong lalaban,” Manolo Bagunu, Isabela Division Sports Officer, said. The training proved to make a difference as the delegation supplied Isabela with enough gold on a daily basis to sustain the lead in the overall standings. 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 Bagunu also attributed the delegation’s sterling performances to their sports interventions after a thorough study of Isabela’s CAVRAA showings in previous years. “Nagconduct tayo ng comparative analysis ng 2023 at 2024 CAVRAA to carefully look into how we performed in the past two years. Kaya nalaman natin agad kung saan tayo malakas at mahina,” Bagunu said. “So, ang ginawa natin, pinaigting natin ang training ng mga mahihinang events at lalo pa nating pinalakas ang dating gold miners like swimming para sure na sure na talagang atin pa rin ngayong taon,” he added. After last year’s dismal showing, arnis, chess, and taekwondo scaled up their games to haul in a combined 24-gold-medal count. Swimming, which handed Isabela its biggest gold mine with 29, also increased its gold medal reap to five, while athletics truly delivered as one of Isabela’s medal-rich events, doubling its gold reap from 11 to 22. Dancesports also sustained its contribution with seven golds. 𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐒 The delegation found a big chunk of its gold count from the elementary division, rallying Isabela to a commanding lead over other kiddie delegates in the region. For its part, the secondary level kept its pace to secure a one-gold edge over Cagayan. The sports officer said that the same attention was given to both levels during the training, and their standings in their categories were a reflection of their rivals’ performances and athletic qualities. 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐒 Isabela Schools Division Superintendent Rachel Llana recognized the effort of everyone who contributed to the Emerald’s successful campaign for another championship title. The superintendent also expressed her most profound gratitude to the Provincial Government of Isabela (PGI), through Gov. Rodito T. Albano III and Vice-Gov. Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, the whole officialdom of the PGI, and all LGUs for their utmost support to the division from the preparations to the actual regional sports festivity, The 117-gold-medal finish of Isabela in this year’s CAVRAA Meet, a 35-gold medal clear of its closest rival Cagayan, is the division’s best performance so far since 2010. (DepEd Isabela)

CAVRAA MEDAL TALLY UPDATE As of 12:32AM, April 27, 2025 Source: CAVRAA 2025

Nakahanda nang magpakitang gilas ang mga atletang pambato ng Cagayan Delegation para sa Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet 2025 na gaganapin sa Santiago City sa Abril 23-27, 2025. Isinagawang send-off ceremony na pinangunahan ni Gob. Manuel N. Mamba sa Cagayan Sports Coliseum noong Abril 20. Aabot sa 782 athletes, coaches, trainers, at chaperons ang nakatakdang sumabak sa CAVRAA Meet 2025 kung saan bago ang send-off ay dumaan sa masusing pagsasanay upang matiyak ang pagdepensa sa bandera ng Cagayan sa naturang kompetisyon. Sa naging mensahe ni Gob. Mamba, binigyang-diin nito ang kahandaan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan na maibigay ang lahat ng suportang kakailanganin ng mga kalahok sa CAVRAA Meet 2025. Aniya, nais nitong maibalik ng Lalawigan ng Cagayan ang titulo nito bilang “Cagayan Agga Number 1” kaya hinimok nito ang mga atleta na magkaisa at gawin ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya upang masungkit ang tagumpay sa naturang palaro. Dagdag pa rito, dapat aniyang isapuso ng mga atletang Cagayano ang diwa ng isports habang nakikipagkompetisyon sa ibang mga delegasyon at panatilihin ang disiplina at pakikipagkaibigan sa ibang mga manlalaro. Pinaalalahanan naman ni Clarita Lunas, Consultant on Education ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan ang lahat ng mga atleta na panatilihin ang malakas at malusog na pangangatawan habang sila ay nakikipagkompetisyon dahil ito aniya ang pinakamabisang paraan upang madepensahan ang bandera ng Cagayan. Kaugnay rito ay hinikayat din ni Lunas ang mga atleta na panatilihin ang maayos na samahan, ibuhos ang buong lakas, at baunin ang matibay na dedikasyon upang maiuwi ang kampeonato para sa CAVRAA MEET 2025. Samantala, aabot naman sa 15 bus ang naghatid sa Cagayan Delegation patungong Santiago City at kasama rin dito ang dalawang coaster ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan. Dumalo rin sa Send-off Ceremony sina Cagayan Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Reynante Caliguiran at iba pang kinatawan ng Schools Division Office ng Cagayan, mga Department Heads, at Provincial Consultants ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan. By Gelo Maguddayao/Photo by Cagayan Tourism/Miles Mallonga

A TOTAL of 117 riders representing 17 teams—including four from overseas—hit the road on April 24 as the fabled Tour of Luzon returns with a “The Great Revival” edition in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Shelved at least thrice since the Manila-Vigan inaugural race in 1956, the Tour of Luzon—presented by the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), DuckWorld PH and Cignal TV—will be all of eight stages traversing seven Northern and Central Luzon provinces with a mountain top finish inside Camp John Hay in Baguio City. “The legendary Tour of Luzon is back,” exclaimed Patrick “Patò” Gregorion, president of DuckWorld PH whose collaboration with MPTC, led by Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez, resulted in the return of the Tour of Luzon last staged in 2019 via the international Le Tour de Filipinas. “The excitement has bordered from excitement to the extreme for once again, we’ll see the best of Philippine road cycling reliving the historic summer sports tradition,” said Perez, himself an active executive cyclist. Up for grabs in the PhilCycling-sanctioned race is a P1-million cash prize and a year’s possession of the Tour of Luzon perpetual trophy for the team champion and P500,000 and a uniquely-crafted trophy for the general individual classification winner. The eight stages cover a total of 1,074.90 kilometers starting with the 190.70-km Paoay-Paoay (via Pagudpud) Stage 1 on April 24, 68.39-km Paoay-Vigan team time trial Stage 2 on April 25, 130.33-km Vigan-San Juan (La Union) Stage 3 the next day, 162.97-km Agoo-Clark Stage 4, 166.65 Clark-Clark (via New Clark City and Tarlac) Stage 5, 168.19 Clark-Lingayen Stage 6 and 15.14-km individual time trial Labrador-Lingayen Stage 7 on April 30. Come May 1, the surviving cyclists will pedal 172.53 kms from Lingayen to a top-of-the-hill finish at the Scout Hill section inside Camp John Hay, the final queen stage that’s expected to determine who lifts the champions’ trophies in the race being staged through sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan’s MVP Group’s advocacy to promote sports in all disciplines and at all levels. “Besides bringing the Tour of Luzon back on the road, we are also reviving the prestigious ‘Eagle of the Mountain’ title which will go to whoever wins the punishing Stage 8,” Gregorio said. “It could all boil down to that final stage.” Kennon Road will again play a major role in determining the champion with an all uphill last 32 kms grind in the final stage with gradients that go beyond 20 percent. The Philippines’ four International Cycling Union (UCI) continental teams—7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, Standard Insurance Philippines, Go For Gold Philippines and Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team—lead the cast of protagonists that include foreign squads CCN Factory HK from Hong Kong, Malaysia Pro Cycling, Bryton Racing Team from Taiwan and Gapyeong Cycling Team from South Korea. Rounding out the teams are the Philippines Under-23-Tom N Toms Coffee squad and top clubs Excellent Noodles, DReyna Orion Cement, Dandez T-Prime Cycling Team, Exodus Army, MPT Drive Hub Cycling Team, 1 Team Visayas, One Cycling Mindanao and Team Pangasinan.        

Isang bagong pangalan ang sumikat sa larangan ng pampalakasan matapos makamit ng Team Kata mula sa Cagayan Province ang gintong medalya sa National PRISAA 2025. Isinagawa ang paligsahan sa SM City Tuguegarao kung saan nagtagisan ng galing ang mga piling atleta mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa. Sa ilalim ng Karatedo ( Senior Division ), buong galing na ipinamalas sina Jay-mar Calagui, Christian Elizar Toledo at Amos Jian Mariano, ang kanilang husay at disiplina upang makamit ang pinakamataas na parangal. Buong pusong ipinagmamalaki ng buong Cagayan Valley ang kanyang tagumpay na nagsilbing inspirasyon sa kapwa kabataan ng rehiyon. Ang panalong ito ay hindi lamang tagumpay ng Team Kata, kundi pati na rin ng buong lalawigan ng Cagayan at ng buong Cagayan Valley region sa larangan ng pampalakasan.(Region Cagayan Valley Nationwide post)    

By Gelo Maguddayao   Nagpaabot ng mainit na pagtanggap at pagbati si Gob. Manuel N. Mamba sa lahat ng mga atleta at iba pang bisita na kasama Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Meet 2025. Ito ay kasabay ng grand opening ng PRISAA 2025 noong Sabado, Abril 5 sa Cagayan Sports Complex, Tuguegarao City. Sa naging mensahe ni Mamba, ipinunto nito ang kahalagahan ng pagbubuklod, pagkakaisa, at disiplina upang maipanalo ang kompetisyon at makamit ang karangalang hinahangad para sa bayan. “Napakaimportante po ang pagkakaisa, napakaimportante po ang pagbubuklod-buklod, at nakapaimportante po ang kompetisyon, at the end of the day we compete for what is best for our people, what is best for our children, and what is best for the future of our land, for our province and of course our country,” pahayag ni Gob. Mamba. Aniya, matagal na panahon ang inilaan ng pamunuaan ng PRISAA katuwang ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan at Pamahalaang Panlungsod ng Tuguegarao upang maisakatuparan ang tagumpay ng palaro. Gayonman, umaasa si Gob. Mamba na magiging makabuluhan ang pamamalagi ng mga atleta at mga bisita sa Tuguegarao City hanggang sa matapos ang kompetisyon. Samantala, hinimok naman ni Dr. Esther Susan Perez-Mari ang lahat ng delegasyon na pagbutihin ang kanilang pakikipagkompetisyon sa mga kapwa manlalaro sa pamamagitan ng pagsasakatuparan sa tunay na diwa ng isports. Aniya, hindi siya makapaniwala na ngayon ay tuluyan ng maisasakatuparan ang pangarap ng kanyang ama na si dating UCV President Dr. Victor Perez at ni Gob. Mamba na maidaos ang makasaysayang PRISAA Meet 2025 sa lalawigan. “The fact that this event was cancelled three times, yet we kept on trying. This is a testament to the resilience and persistece, both of which are values that an athlete needs to have in order to succeed. After a lot of hard work, we are finally here and I firmly believe that the preparations for this national game was a unifying factor for many,” pahayag nito. Samantala, naging panahuhing pandangal naman sa naturang palaro sina Sen. Imee Marcos at Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go bilang Chairman ng Committee on Sports and Youth kung saan nangako ito na susuportahan ang lahat ng mga manlalarong pinoy sa bansa at mas pagtitibayin ang pagsusulong ng mga batas at programang tutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga manlalaro para mas makilala pa ang bansa sa iba’t ibang larangan at entablado ng palakasan sa buong mundo. Dumalo rin sa pagbubukas ng PRISAA 2025 si Tuguegarao City Mayor Maila Ting-Que, mga opisyal ng National PRISAA Board of Trustees, mga Regional PRISAA Presidents, mga department, at unit heads ng LGU, at iba pa. Magtatagal ang PRISAA Meet 2025 hanggang sa darating na Biyernes, Abril 11, 2025.      

By Pigeon Lobien It is a go for the family of the late Dr. Charles Hamada who will hold the second run in his honor to benefit Baguio media on May 1. The run honoring the late publisher and general of the Baguio Midland Courier will have three categories – 3 kilometer, 5K and 10 K, said daughter Gabrielle Hamada. Registration for the 3K category of the Dr. Charles Hamada Memorial Run is PhP300, PhP400 for the 5K and PhP500 for the longest category. Onsite registration is at Laperal building until April 26, the family added. Registrants can get a shirt and race bib. The race starts at Burnham Park Igorot Park to Kisad, the Military Cut-off where participants in the 3K will have the frontage of the Kubong Sawali as turning point. The 5 K and 10K runners proceed to the Camp John Hay former Gate 1, beside the Panagbenga Park where the former group takes a U-turn and back to the starting line. The 10 K runners proceed to the Pacdal Circle via South Drive and back to where they started. Assembly time is 4AM, while gun starts at 430 for the 10K runners, 5AM for the 5K runners and 530AM for the 3K participants, said race director Che Alberto. Hamada died in Jan 8, 2016 and his family staged the first run in May 1, 2019 before the pandemic, where the local media as beneficiaries.