TACLOBAN CITY —The Commission on Elections(Comelec) in the region has been named the Top Performing Region for Cluster 2 (3,000,000–3,999,999 registered voters) in the national PRAISE Awarding Ceremony held on November 21, 2025, at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila.

The recognition cited the region’s performance in election administration, voter services, and organizational management.

Regional Election Director Atty. Jose Nick Mendros said the award reflects the combined support of Comelec personnel, partner agencies, and the public, noting that the achievement underscores the continued trust in the region’s electoral operations.

Several personnel from Comelec-8 also received individual national awards for exemplary service:

•Most Outstanding Election Officer of the Visayas – Atty. Don Joshua D. Margate
• Most Outstanding Election Assistant of the Visayas– Josiefil T. Egarte
• “Masikhay” Award – Marivel P. Orquin
• Master in National Security Administration (MNSA), Regular Class 59 – Atty. Karen C. Cajipo

Mendros said the awards highlight the collective hard work of the regional team and reaffirm their commitment to honest, efficient, and people-centered public service.
He added that Comelec-8 will continue strengthening electoral processes in the region.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippines kicked off its medal haul at the 14th ASEAN Schools Games in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, thanks to stellar performances from two young athletes from Leyte.

Chrisia Mae Tajarros of Tanauan captured a silver medal in the Girls’ 3,000-meter run, marking the country’s first podium finish at the regional competition. Tajarros, who previously won gold at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte, crossed the finish line just behind Vietnam’s representative, showcasing her consistent athletic prowess.

Shortly after, 17-year-old Efosa John Paul Aguinaldo of Hindang delivered the Philippines’ first gold medal of the Games. Aguinaldo soared to victory in the Boys’ Long Jump with a mark of 7.26 meters, leaving Malaysia and Singapore to claim silver and bronze, respectively.

Like Tajarros, Aguinaldo also shone at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, winning gold in the Secondary Boys Long Jump and cementing his status as one of the nation’s rising athletics stars.

The ASEAN Schools Games, which began on November 20 and will run until November 28, bring together nearly 1,000 secondary student-athletes from ten Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Competitors vie for 340 medals across eight sports, ranging from athletics and swimming to sepak takraw and pencak silat.

With these early wins, Leyte’s young athletes have set a strong tone for the Philippines, signaling a promising medal run in the regional multisport event.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY —Local adventure racing squad “Team Dirt” clinched the “Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) – Asia Region Championship” after finishing first in the 300-kilometer ‘La Routa Adventure Race 2025’ in Biliran, completing the multi-stage challenge in 53 hours and 20 minutes.

The team is composed of Ericka Viojan (team captain and sole female member), Nick Aquilos (navigator), Gil Peñero Jr., and Hienreck Velasco. They outperformed elite Philippine racers and foreign teams from Japan and Malaysia.

The route tested endurance, navigation, and strategy through a series of disciplines including paddling, hiking, kayaking, rappelling, and mountain biking. The victory gives Team Dirt the chance to compete in the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship in Corsica, France.

Team members said they were not expecting to finish first, given the challenging terrain and the more seasoned foreign competitors. The athletes credited their win to their coordination, strategy, and individual strengths.

Aquilos said the team will intensify preparations for the world championship by seeking coaching from seasoned mentors and training at high-altitude or cold-temperature locations. The group also plans to secure additional sponsorships to support their participation.

La Routa 2025 was organized by Bukid Outdoor Shop, the Department of Tourism–Region VIII, and the provincial government of Biliran, drawing top adventure racing teams from across Asia.

In the Elite Team category, Skomad Kamikaze Adventure (Malaysia) placed second, followed by KBS Adventure Race Team (Malaysia) in third, Kamikaze Silva (Malaysia) in fourth, and East Wind (Japan) in fifth.

In the Candidate category, top finishers were Tres Islas Adventure Racing (Philippines), A-Plot Adventure Racing (Philippines), 2nd place, and Team Shershah (India),3rd place.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)