PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Extending its Palarong Pambansa dynasty, the National Capital Region (NCR) reaffirmed its dominance as it clinched its 19th consecutive overall championship title in the national competitions held at Patin-ay Sports Complex in Prosperidad town.
NCR athletes amassed an impressive 91 gold with 71 silver and 71 bronze medals to close out the weeklong 66th edition of the country’s premier multisport event hosted by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur.
The bulk of the NCR’s medal haul came from the secondary division, which delivered a 73-51-50 gold-silver-bronze medals, while the elementary squad contributed 24-18-25.
Bannering the charge was 18-year-old standout swimmer Patricia Mae Santor, who capped her final Palaro stint with a sweep of the opposition to grab seven gold medals in all her events in the secondary level.
The NCR team came off an impressive historic 2025 campaign where it set a record with 117 gold medals, alongside 70 silver and 50 bronze.
Region IV-A (Calabarzon) secured second place with a 55-50-60 medal tally, while Region XI (Davao Region) edged Region VII (Central Visayas) for third, 34-32-34 against 31-36-45.
Host Region XIII (Caraga), led by Agusan del Sur, finished with 30 gold, 19 silver, and 48 bronze medals. Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr. had earlier pledged a ₱1 million reward for any athlete who could break a Philippine record, but no one achieved the feat.
In surprise appearance, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte attended one event at the Datu Lipus Makapandong-Governor Democrito O. Plaza Sports Complex on Saturday, signaling her city’s role as host of the next Palarong Pambansa.