Nearly two months after their hard-fought victories in Palarong Pambansa 2025, Davao City’s young athletes finally got their moment in the spotlight.
In a long-awaited recognition program held Thursday, July 24, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang, more than 600 student-athletes and their coaches were honored under the theme “Bayani sa Laro, Inspirasyon sa Buhay.” The celebration paid tribute not only to medal counts but also to the heart, hustle, and dedication behind every performance.
Davao City stood tall at the national games in Ilocos Norte earlier in June, accounting for 25 of the Davao Region’s 43 golds, along with 14 silvers and 19 bronzes. This strong showing secured the city second place among the country’s top-performing divisions, trailing only behind Manila.
Department of Education (DepEd) Davao regional director Allan Farnazo, in his address, reminded the young athletes that their ultimate goal isn’t fame or medals, but education and character.
Farnazo also took a moment to acknowledge those who came home empty-handed. Victory is sweet, he said, but defeat builds depth. Sometimes, those who suffer in silence emerge as the strongest. And for those who win, he said grace and humility are part of being a true champion. He praised Davao City’s improved gold conversion rate—from 8.9 percent last year to nearly 13 percent this year—and shared how close the region came to a podium finish. “We missed third place by a single gold, and second place by just four. But make no mistake—we made our presence felt. We threatened the powerhouse regions in the country,” he said. “Now we believe even more: Davao can do better.”
Meanwhile, DepEd Davao City schools division superintendent Rey Solitario echoed the praise, lauding the athletes for their perseverance.
“Behind every medal are early morning drills, long nights of training, and countless sacrifices,” he said. “You’ve shown that excellence in sports mirrors excellence in life.”
He added that this recognition isn’t just about athletic success.
“You are inspirations—examples of courage, resilience, and heart to your classmates, coaches, families, and the entire Davaoeño community,” Solitario said.
He also commended the silent heroes—the coaches, trainers, school heads, and parents—who helped shape these young athletes’ journeys.
“Thank you for molding not just champions, but future leaders and citizens of character,” he said.
To cap off the celebration, medalists received cash incentives from the City Government of Davao, in a ceremony jointly organized by DepEd Davao City and the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office. MLSA