Cebu City Niños top performer among Cebuano contingents

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Niños emerged as the top performer among the Cebu delegations in the recently concluded Batang Pinoy 2025 in General Santos City.

After the week-long action in the Philippine Youth Games at the country’s Tuna Capital, the Niños landed at ninth place overall with a total of 115 medals broken down into 31 golds, 32 silvers, and 52 bronzes.

Team Cebu City who returned home on the eve of the typhoon, led Cebu’s campaign with an unofficial tally of 30 golds, 35 silvers, and 48 bronzes. The Philippine Sports Commission has yet to release the official medal count though the weeklong event has already ended.

Jiujitsu delivered six golds behind the efforts of Sarah Lee Tio, Gabriel Beravides, Jirani Agbayani Jr., Maximo Bernades, and Keira Mercado.

Wrestling minted five gilts courtesy of Jian Joseph Lauron, Zyxian Athena Riconella, Daryn Grace Escolar, and Sergio Gabrielle Cabugoy while weightlifters Kenuel Luke Ubanan, Shinichi Blythe Catingub, Princess Angel Ando, and Sandrie Kyle Agot produced four golds.

Dheniel Ceballos stood out in archery with three golds, karateka Alexis Carmeli Patalinghug and gymnast Cayden Yamat each earned two golds, while cyclist Jhan Zoe Canasa and dancesport athletes Gian Andrew and Ariane Mae Generalao snatched golds in their respective disciplines.

The other gold medalists for TCC include swimmer Bill Bradley Espinosa, pencak silat artist Maria Shiela Arcipe, javelin thrower David Bolongaita, arnisadors Josh Francis Auditor and Jimian Ezequil Saquilabon, and the boys’ lawn tennis team led by Aaron Kevin Tabura.

“On behalf of the Cebu City Sports Commission, I extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all our coaches, athletes, CCSC staff, and support personnel for your unwavering dedication and exemplary participation in the Batang Pinoy 2025,” CCSC Chairman Dr. Rhoel Dejaño wrote on his Facebook page.

“Your hard work, discipline, and commitment have brought pride and honor to Cebu City. But beyond the medals and victories, what truly matters are the lessons we have learned, the values of teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, and unity that this experience has strengthened in all of us. These lessons will guide us not only in future competitions but in every challenge we face in life,” Dejaño added.

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City is at 20th spot with a 14-3-11 gold-silver-bronze haul followed by Mandaue City at 24th with a 12-9-18 tally.

Toledo City bagged four gold, eight silver, and seven bronze medals, Danao City took one gold, three silvers, and three bronzes, Cebu Province brought home one gold and seven bronzes, while Talisay City could only manage a single bronze.

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