IF there's a team that deserves to celebrate for performing beyond expectations in the recent Batang Pinoy 2025 competitions, Manila should be one of them.
The Big City captured 43 gold medals in General Santos City, which may not be really big compared to other cities, but one has to remember that in last year's Batang Pinoy, Manila won just one gold medal.
READ Thanks to good governance, Pasig wins second straight Batang Pinoy title
This year's output placed it fifth overall, with an additional 37 silver and 32 bronze medals. Last year, Manila was 84th overall.
Pasig topped the 2025 competition with 95 gold medals, followed by Baguio (91), Davao (63) and Quezon City (45).
“Tuwang-tuwa siya,” said Manila Sports Council (MASCO) head Dale Evangelista when asked about Manila mayor Isko Moreno's reaction to the team's victories.
“This is a quantum leap for the sports of Manila,” said Evangelista.
Evangelista said most of Manila’s gold medals came from swimming and athletics, which captured 15 and 14, respectively. Manila also won 10 gold medals from gymnastics.
Evangelista credited Manila’s success in the Batang Pinoy to the city's reinvigorated sports program, foremost of which was identifying the talents based in the city.
The Philippine Sports Commission, led by chairman Patrick Gregorio, also provided help by allowing the use of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for free for their training.
“’Yung pag-upong pag-upo ni Yorme (Mayor Moreno), I started talking to the coaching staff. Ang sabi namin, we will try to bring a good team to compete. ‘Yun lang naman ang gusto mo talaga, to participate,” said Evangelista.
"And then nakita namin ano ‘yung mga times sa swimming, ano ‘yung times ng track and field, ano ‘yung changes ng combat sport.
“Nakipag-usap kami kay Chairman Pato na baka puwede namin magamit itong facility nila ng PSC. Tapos ginamit din namin ‘yung mga facilities ng schools, sports complex namin. From there, tuluy-tuloy na ‘yung training program ng mga bata,” said Evangelista.
Evangelista, a former member of the water polo national team, said he plans to use the momentum of the Batang Pinoy success to identify more Manila athletes and develop them through proper coaching.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
