THE majority of the 596 athletes representing the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) have started their in-house training on May 3, 2025, in Davao City, as they gear up for the 2025 Palarong Pambansa set for May 24 to June 2 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Department of Education (DepEd) regional director Allan Farnazo, in a Viber interview with SunStar Davao on Tuesday evening, May 6, said that most of Davraa's 723-member delegation—including athletes, coaches, and chaperones—are billeted at Mintal Elementary School and Mintal Comprehensive High School in Davao City.
However, Davraa swimmers are training in Tagum City to take advantage of the Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.
"Our athletes are deep in preparation for the Palaro, where we are targeting an overall third-place finish," Farnazo said. He said the in-house training will wrap up before the delegation departs for Laoag.
Nearly 800 Davraa delegates, including athletes, coaches, chaperones, and technical officials, are expected to travel to Laoag in multiple batches between May 17 and 20, departing from the Davao International Airport.
Farnazo said that although Davao del Norte hosted the 2025 Davraa Meet, Davao City was the practical choice for in-house training due to its proximity to the airport.
He also mentioned that Philippine Airlines (PAL) offered only one direct flight from Davao to Laoag, making it necessary for most of the delegation to transit through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City.
In one of his visits to the training quarters, Farnazo observed athletes performing during dinner as part of their social preparation—an important aspect of mental and emotional readiness for the games.
"Kabalo ta nga ang social preparation is importante. Kung ang bata maayo kaayo mudula unya masyagitan sa field, ma-rattle dayon (We know that social preparation is crucial. A child may be very skilled but could easily get rattled when shouted at on the field)," Farnazo said. That's why we have guidance counselors. Aron pag-abot sa Palaro, the child we want to see playing is ready morally, physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Dili makulbaan kung singgitan ug unsa pa'y ipang sulti maski kinsa (When they arrive at the Palaro, we want to see athletes who are morally, physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally prepared. They shouldn’t get anxious even if spectators shout or criticize them," he added.
Farnazo also expressed pride in the Davraa Eagles, recognized as the Most Disciplined Delegation in the past two editions of the Palarong Pambansa—Marikina City in 2023 and Cebu City in 2024.
"Hoping we can continue that," he said. MLSA
