Davao City’s track star Mary Jane Pagayon capped her final Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2025 with a stellar performance, securing four gold medals as the athletics competition wrapped up Thursday at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC) in Tagum City.
The 17-year-old Emar Human and Environment College (EHEC) standout led the city’s secondary girls 4x400m relay team—alongside Janel Cabiles, Carla Luardo, and Melchay Moreno—to victory. She also dominated the 3,000m, 1,500m, and 800m events.
"Kaluy-an sa Ginoo, nakuha nako ang gold sa 800m ganinang buntag. Happy kaayo ko, Ma'am. Wala ko mag-expect nga makuha gihapon nako akong tulo ka individual events. Da best gyud kaayo si Lord, Ma'am (By God's grace, I won the gold in the 800m this morning. I'm very happy, Ma'am. I didn't expect to sweep my individual events.. God is truly the best, Ma'am!," she told SunStar Davao.
She expressed gratitude to her family, coaches, teammates, and the people of Davao City for their unwavering support. After securing silver and bronze in Cebu City last year, she now sets her sights on winning the prestigious gold medal at the Palarong Pambansa 2025.
"Unta naa nay puruhan na maka gold puhon sa Palaro (Hopefully, there will be a chance to win gold at the Palaro soon)," Pagayon said.
As she looks ahead, she remains undecided about where to continue her college studies and running career.
Historic win
Raine Jamie Mission, 17, also delivered a golden moment for Davao City Durians, clearing 1.93m in the secondary boys' high jump to outclass Davao del Norte’s Jaimes Kiel Abrahan (1.76m) and fellow Dabawenyo Ronel Adan Jr. (1.72m).
Competing in his third Davraa Meet, Mission surpassed his 1.90m mark from the Davao City Athletic Association (Dcaa) Meet 2025.
Coach Mamerto Aventurado lauded his feat: "Gi-break niya ang record nga 1.85m sa Mindanao Atletic Association (MAA) Meet 1978. After 47 years, Davao Durians made history in the high jump. Na-break sad niya ang 1.83m sa 1980 Southern Mindanao Region Athletic Association Meet (He broke the 1.85m record set at the Mindanao Athletic Association (MAA) Meet in 1978. After 47 years, Davao Durians made history in the high jump. He also surpassed the 1.83m record from the 1980 Southern Mindanao Region Athletic Association Meet)."
Mission, thrilled with his achievement, credited his mental preparation over physical training:
"Lipay kaayo ko, na break nako ang record (I'm very happy to have broken the record)," Mission said in a separate interview. "More on sa utok ug dughan akong preparasyon, mas mental kaysa physical. Tiwala sa sarili gyud (My preparation was more about mindset and confidence than physical training)."
With a fourth-place finish in last year’s Palaro, he aims for a podium finish in Laoag City this May.
"Nalipay kaayo ko nga nakadaog ko og duha ka gold medals sa Davraa Meet for the first time, tungod sa akong paningkamot ug suporta sa akong pamilya ug coaches (I'm very happy to have won two gold medals at the Davraa Meet as a first-timer. I owe it to my hard work and the support of my family and coaches)," he told SunStar Davao.
Newbie champion
Meanwhile, 12-year-old Tyller R. Borja of Subasta Elementary School made a dream Davraa debut, clinching two gold medals in the elementary boys' 100m and 200m dashes.
He clocked 12.43 seconds in the 100m, edging out teammate Johnny Rebron Tabale (12.50s) and Davao Occidental’s Reomel Rey (12.68s).
Borja also bagged three silvers in the 400m, 4x400m, and 4x100m relay events.
"Nalipay kaayo ko nga nakadaog ko og duha ka gold medals sa Davraa Meet tungod sa akong paningkamot ug suporta sa akong pamilya ug coaches (I'm very happy to have won two gold medals at the Davraa Meet because of my hard work and the support of my family and coaches)," he said.
The son of a carpenter and a housewife, Borja advances to Palaro 2025 after meeting the qualifying time standard (QTS).
Adding to Davao City’s gold haul were Jao Sembrano (elementary boys' discus throw, 26.26m) and Gorbachev Pepito (secondary boys' 400m hurdles, 56.02s). MLSA