Ilocos Norte braces for 15K athletes for 65th Palarong Pambansa

The closing ceremony of Palarong Pambansa 2024. File photo via Ian Zane Esparaga

The province of Ilocos Norte is set to welcome over 15,000 delegates as it hosts the 65th Palarong Pambansa from May 24 to 31.

With this year’s theme, “Nagkakaisang Kapuluan,” the games aim to highlight national unity through sport while embracing a more modern, eco-conscious, and athlete-focused Palaro experience

This year, 20 delegations will compete in various sporting events, representing the 18 regions of the Philippines, the National Academy of Sports (NAS), and the Philippine Schools Overseas (PSO).

The Parada ng mga Atleta on Saturday, May 24, will serve as the opening event, with assembly beginning at 3 p.m. and the parade kicking off at 5 p.m. from Abadilla and J.P. Rizal Streets near the Laoag Public Market.

Honoring a local hero

The official Palarong Pambansa 2025 Ilocos Norte logo features a pixelated human figure inspired by the iconic posture of Teofilo Yldefonso, the legendary Olympic swimmer known as the “Ilocano Shark.”

Yldefonso, who hailed from Piddig, Ilocos Norte, was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian Olympic medalist.

He is also remembered for his heroism during World War II.

Earlier, handwoven creations made by Inabel weavers from Paoay showcased Yldenfonso as the games’ official icon.

The following are the participating athletic associations:

Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) – Ilocos Region

Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) – Cagayan Valley

Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) – Central Luzon

Southern Tagalog CALABARZON Athletic Association (STCAA) – CALABARZON

MIMAROPA Regional Athletics Association (MRAA) – MIMAROPA

Bicol Regional Athletic Association (BRAA) – Bicol Region

Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) – Western Visayas

Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) – Central Visayas

Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) – Eastern Visayas

Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) – Zamboanga Peninsula

Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) – Northern Mindanao

Davao Region Athletic Association (DAVRAA) – Davao Region

SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Athletic Association (SRAA) – SOCCSKSARGEN

Caraga Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) – Caraga

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (BARMM-AA) – BARMM

Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) – Cordillera

National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) – NCR

National Academy of Sports (NAS)

Philippine Schools Overseas (PSO)

Over the weeklong event, delegates will compete in a wide range of sports — from popular team games like basketball, volleyball, and football, to individual events such as swimming, athletics, archery, and taekwondo.

Other featured sports include arnis, badminton, baseball, boxing, chess, dancesport, futsal, gymnastics, pencak silat, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, tennis, wrestling, and wushu.

This year, weightlifting will be introduced as a demonstration sport, while kickboxing, football for secondary girls, and futsal for elementary girls will be staged as exhibition events.

Free cultural tours

Delegates can look forward to free Ilocos Norte tours on May 28 to 30, covering northern and southern zones of the province.

Two shuttles per zone will be stationed at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol and will depart at 8:30 a.m., or once full.

Entrance fees to tourist sites are waived, excluding optional activity charges. —GMA Regional TV

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