Triumphs and Trials of Three Top Athletes
In a triumphant turn of events, three athletes from Davao City emerged victorious at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, the nation's premier athletic competition. Marco Antonio Arela, Mechelle Ann Gonato, and Hannah Ashlei Regaya, who have endured two consecutive near-misses and heartbreaking setbacks in previous years, finally claimed gold medals at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Marco Antonio Arela, a recent graduate of Santo Tomas National High School (STNHS), clinched the top spot in the secondary boys' 2,000-meter walkathon, smashing a seven-year national meet record with a time of 8 minutes and 44.91 seconds (8:44.91). This long-awaited victory came after earning a bronze medal in 2023 and suffering a disqualification that would have netted a silver in 2024.
Upon learning of his historic achievement, Arela expressed his gratitude and thrill, stating, "I've been dreaming of this for a long time. I'm very thankful to God for giving me strength." His dreams now stretch higher, aiming for a UAAP championship as a University of Santo Tomas (UST) varsity scholar, joining the national team, and eventually competing as an Olympian.
Mechelle Ann Gonato, a 16-year-old high school student from Hagonoy National High School in Davao del Sur, overcame nervousness and battled through past trials to secure the gold medal in the secondary girls' triple jump event. Her triumphant leap measured 11.58 meters, besting competitors from the Bicol Region and Northern Mindanao. This victory provides a crucial stepping stone to achieve a scholarship and fund her mother's upcoming gallstone operation.
In the secondary girls' shot put event, Hannah Ashlei Regaya, an incoming University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman freshman and varsity scholar, concluded her Palarong Pambansa career on a golden note with a winning throw of 11.33 meters. Regaya, who began her athletic career as a grade school runner, is thrilled to have finally achieved her dream.
Despite the lack of detailed background information on Mechelle Ann Gonato and Hannah Ashlei Regaya, their performances at the Palarong Pambansa serve as reminders of the determination, perseverance, and unyielding spirit exhibited by Filipino athletes. These traits not only propel them to the height of glory but also inspire others to chase their dreams relentlessly.
Sources:[1] https://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/2023/04/06/debut-DAVAO-STARS-land-podium-finish-at-the-national-athletics-meet/[2] https://www.facebook.com/MarcoAntonioArela1/videos/2892965466630496/
- Marco Antonio Arela, inspired by his success in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, aspires to go beyond UAAP championships, join the national team, and compete as an Olympian, hoping to emulate the European leagues' premier football leagues such as the Premier League.
- Mechelle Ann Gonato, recipient of a future scholarship, sees her gold medal victory in the Palarong Pambansa as a significant step towards funding her mother's surgery, nurturing dreams of one day competing in the sport of athletics in prestigious events, perhaps even in Cebu or Zamboanga.
- As a reminder of resilience and aspirations, Hannah Ashlei Regaya, having sealed her Palarong Pambansa career with a gold medal in the shot put event, envisions herself showcasing her skills in the university leagues, just like how she once ran on the tracks, dreaming of a day when she could represent the Philippines in the global stage of sports.
- Despite having fewer details available about Mechelle Ann Gonato and Hannah Ashlei Regaya, their outstanding performances in the Palarong Pambansa serve as examples of the indomitable spirit of Filipino athletes, qualities that not only secure them victory but also inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with unwavering tenacity.
