Davao Region's 27-gold surge puts Eagles in striking distance of No. 2

The Davao Eagles’ dancesport team dazzles the 2025 Palarong Pambansa stage in Ilocos Norte, clinching the overall championship with a stunning haul of 14 golds, three silvers, and six bronzes. Their golden performance helped catapult the region to third place in the medal standings as of Thursday evening, May 29, with 35 golds, 20 silvers, and 33 bronzes—and the hunt for more isn’t over yet.KIM ANTIPUESTO

Published on:

May 30, 2025, 1:26 am

The Davao Eagles, currently in third spot with 35 gold medals, 20 silvers, and 33 bronzes, are expecting to continue their winning streak after a big day Thursday, May 29, producing 27 golds from dancesports (14), arnis (five), wushu (four), gymnastics (two), athletics (one), and pencak silat (one) in the ongoing 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte.

We are very ecstatic today as we earned a total of 35 golds with still two days to go in the games,

said Department of Education (DepEd) Davao regional director Allan Farnazo in a late Thursday night Viber interview with SunStar Davao.

He shared that two gold medals from taekwondo had yet to be officially recorded, which would potentially move the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) to second place, overtaking perennial runner-up Calabarzon, which stood at 35 golds, 57 silvers, and 51 bronzes.

"We are claiming second place for the day," he said. "We are now good for 37 gold medals plus the remaining games. It's a blessing from the Lord. With our preparation and strategies, we are expecting more golds."

By 8:40 p.m. Thursday, the Davao Eagles had already outdone their 2024 Palaro performance of 32 golds, 25 silvers, and 35 bronzes — a clear sign that they're on a stronger run this year.

Trailing at the start of the games, Davao surged from sixth place on Wednesday evening to fourth by Thursday afternoon. With multiple medal-rich events wrapping up, the Eagles temporarily flew to second before Calabarzon matched their gold count and reclaimed the spot.

Department of Education (DepEd) Davao regional director Allan Farnazo gives a pep talk to Davao delegates at their 2025 Palarong Pambansa quarters Thursday evening, May 29. MAMERTO AVENTURADO

"Ang akong trabaho magsimba matag-adlaw para sa mga bata ug atong delegasyon (My job is to attend mass every day for the children and our delegation)," Farnazo added.

I am very happy that our team, the athletes, have delivered. Mapasalamaton kita ang atong mga bata nag-improve. Mapasalamaton kita sa atong sistema ug sa pag-amping sa maayong panlawas sa mga atleta, ug sa ilang disiplina.

(We are grateful our young athletes have improved. We are thankful for our system, for safeguarding the health of our athletes, and for their discipline)."

Davao’s dancesports team delivered the lion’s share of Thursday’s medals, clinching 14 golds, three silvers, and six bronzes — securing the overall championship title in the event.

"We can now claim to be the sports capital of the Philippines! We already made good with nine golds last year in Cebu. Now, we have 14 golds!" Farnazo said.

The Eagles remain in contention for more gold medals in key finals, including basketball, volleyball, and futsal, on Friday, May 30. MLSA

Davraa