FERNANDEZ LEADS BATANG PINOY ATHLETES IN CITY-LED FETE OF THEIR BATANG PINOY 2022 WIN

February 11, 2023 Community Billboard

Jathniel Caleb Fernandez Thursday was the happiest of the nearly 400 athletes feted by the city government after showing his six gold medals earned in archery during the Batang Pinoy national finals in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in December last year that could be worth PhP120,00. Fernandez was the first athlete to be called during the Team Batang inoy 2022 Recognition and Awards at the Newtown Hotel Event Center where he led the athletes, coaches, parents and city officials in opening the program with the prayer.

Archery became the gold mine for Team Baguio with Fernandez leading the way with his six mints haul, while Chass Maiven Colas came home with a three gold and five silver medal haul in the same event. Colas is expected to take home PhP110,000 for his feat. Coach John Hongitan was equally proud of his athletes in the high school division with Colas as the top medal earner with his eight medal trove while Jemuelle James Espiritu was equally impressive with his one gold, two silver and four bronze medal haul. Colas is Grade 8, while Espiritu is Grade 10 at the Baguio City National High School Special Program for Sports.

“The SPS archers, including our para-archers will continue to soar high in God’s will and grace,” said the BCNHS – SPS teacher who is confident that Baguio will return to the archery map of the country, reminiscent of his daughter’s (Kareel Meer) dominance of the sort some five years ago and
duplicated by Loren Balaoing and Shanayah Dangla. “More Cordillerans will be members of the archery and para-archery Philippine team,” vowed Hongitan, pepped by his wards victory in the biggest sporting event for athletes 16 years and younger.

Hongitan believes that his wards will go on dominate the on-going district meet, then the Palarong Lungsod and eventually the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association meet which has yet to be scheduled by the Department of Education. Magalong lauded the athletes and the sports
development office for a job well done as the city won its fourth consecutive Batang Pinoy national finals title except the pandemic times where the medalists will take home PhP20,000, PhP10,000 and PhP5,000 for their gold, silver and bronze take.

“Hard work and dedication (paid off), which definitely honed their leadership skills and inspired others,” Magalong told the athletes likewise praising a supportive community led by the athletes
parents and coaches. Baguio delivered 31 gold, 30 silver and 39 bronze medals, or a total of 100 medals for Baguio, which won the overall title for four consecutive years.

Pigeon Lobien/ABN