The recently concluded Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet 2024 ended in high spirits as the athletes from the University of Baguio took their well-deserved spots on the podium following their exceptional performance on the field.
In Table Tennis, Richard Nixon Rivera and Guia Vhonne Zate, guided by Head Coach Aris Apolo, both garnered a gold medal in the Doubles and Singles category respectively. In Lawn Tennis, Dynna Janelle Visaya garnered a gold medal in the Doubles category while Ezekiel John Atos garnered a bronze medal in the Singles category under the guidance of Head Coach Razel Apag.
In the Basketball 3×3 Girls Secondary division, players Precious Buswilan, Axel Gaminde, Shalimar Pascua, and Gabrielle Libao, under the direction of Head Coach Jordan Soriano, garnered a silver medal for their efforts on the court.
In Badminton, player Marga Estell Aguirre earned a bronze medal in the Elementary Girls Singles. Player Renee Scarlette Somentac earned a gold medal in the Elementary Girls Singles and Elementary Girls Mixed Doubles categories. Player Francisco Josh Ching participated in the Secondary Boys category. All of the Badminton players were under the direction of Head Coach Einstein Jhune Aguirre.
In the Arnis division, both Secondary Girls and Secondary Boys categories earned a plethora of medals under the guidance of Head Coach Andre Dean Foman-eg. For the Secondary Girls category, Izy Pobletin garnered one silver and five gold medals, Princess Ysabelle Jorvina earned one silver and three gold medals as well as a fourth place ranking in the Bantam Weight – Over 40 kgs up to 43.5 kgs. Chloe Villanueva earned a bronze medal in the Full contact Extra Lightweight – Over 48 kgs up to 51.5 kgs category, while Caira Bunoy earned herself a gold medal in the Full Contact Over 52 kgs up to 55.5 kgs category, Marion Lopez also earned one silver and three gold medals across categories.
In the Secondary Boys category, Glysm Belteshasar Aliga garnered six gold medals across six different categories, while Azriel Aliga garnered one gold medal in the Full Contact Pin Weight – 43 kgs to 59.5 kgs category. Marc Alexis Martin also garnered five gold medals, and Bernardo Torres III garnered four gold medals across the different categories under Secondary Boys. Albeimer Sadey earned a 4th place spot under the Bantam Weight – Over 47 kgs up to 50.5 kgs category.
The Taekwondo team under the guidance of Head Coach Arnold Oglayon performed exceptionally well at the meet, garnering both gold and silver medals alike across a swathe of categories. The Secondary Division Kyorugi (Sparring) gold medalists include Joshua Aaron Erece, Matt Rejhan Lavestre, Andrew Tegui-in, Joey Jones Culallad, Chris Levi Culallad, Aithan Raphael Ogoy, Chezka Nicollete Luzadas, Rihannah Kate Caguioa, Stephanie Agda, Zyra Allyson Lee, and Kurtney Lexanne Calderon. Aisha Jeanna Garcia also garnered a silver medal under the same category.
Under the Boys division, Kurt Cortez garnered a gold medal in the Individual Poomsae category, while Jonas Salaes and Raiah Ysabelle Raganit earned gold medals under the Pair Poomsae Category. In the Team Poomsae category, Jonas Sales, Kurt Cortez, and Cye Guiller Evangelista all earned gold medals.
Under the Girls division, Angel Lyn Yvainne Dacanay earned a silver medal in the Individual Poomsae category, while Raiah Ysabelle Raganit earned a gold in the Pair Poomsae category. Ms. Dacanay and Ms. Raganit alongside Arcie May Miranda also earned gold medals under the Team Poomsae category. Under the Elementary Girls division, Joniya Yua Ysabelle Obaicoro garnered a silver medal in the Individual Poomsae Category. Ms. Obaicoro also earned gold medals alongside Zion Ysabelle Buenviaje in the Team Poomsae category.
The Muay Thai team under the direction of Head Coach Dare Malecdan also had active participation in the CARAA Meet, with Edel Ali Ngina competing in the Waikru category and the Mai Muay category alongside Jogn Gabriel Gregorio.
In the Swimming Secondary division, the team also won a litany of gold and silver medals across the different categories under the guidance of Head Coach Chris Sobrevilla. Dustin Dame Eslay earned six gold medals and one silver medal, while John Kahlel Caruncho earned seven gold medals across categories. Rashad Ocatenn garnered two silver medals and one gold medal, while Robert Gibran Joves earned three gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze. Alexander Mendoza garnered five gold medals across categories, while Jowen Kyle Patacsil earned two gold medals and one silver medal. Clyde Xavier Elec earned one gold medal, one silver medal, and three bronze medals across the different categories, while Caruncho Jan Eowyn seven gold medals. Digermo Fatima also earned seven gold medals, while Bañaga Justine three gold medals and two silver medals, and Dangadang Fiona garnered two gold medals and one bronze medal.
In the Athletics division, Clyde Benito, Ken Ryzen Herrera, Denver Tacay, Xyndrex Orion, Leishen Masangkay, and Shiela Domilies all qualified for Palarong Pambansa alongside their medals. They earned a plethora of gold and bronze medals from their participation in the different categories of the Athletics division. Alongside them, Cytelle Armendi also also earned two silver and one bronze medal, and Fathima Mabalot also earned a gold medal.
In the 4x100m Relay Girls, athletes Leishen Masangkay, Fathima Mabalot, Shiela Mae Domilies, and Cytelle Armendi earned a silver medal, while the Relay Boys category earned a gold medal through the efforts of Charles Dulagan, Jasper Cobcobo, and Xyndrex Orinion. The 4x400m Relay Girls also earned a gold medal with Leishen Masangkay, Shiela Domilies, Mecca Loraña, and Cytelle Armendi, and the Boys category also earned a gold with the efforts of Clyde Benito, Jasper Cobcobo, and Xyndrex Orinion. All if their efforts were coordinated by Head Coach Hernanie Sore.
Rounding out this year’s CARAA meet are the Chess team, the Elementary Swimming team, and the Boxing team. The Chess team earned gold across the board through the efforts of Xyrus Gil Arinos and Christher Mendoza, coordinated by the guidance of Head Coach Ronaldo Alvez.
Leading the elementary swimming team is Head Coach Joeward Abance, who oversaw the efforts of eight exceptional athletes. Zephanaia Ielle Tagara earned six gold medals and one silver medal, while Atann Paul William Cando earned two gold medals and five silver medals across the different categories. Athena Masadao earned two gold medals and 7th place in the 100m Breaststroke, Jazpearl Khate Sasquiaten earned a gold medal in the 4×50 Medley Relay, and Maxine Ysabelle Wee earnbed a gold in the 4×100 Medley Relay. Maximus Odin Masadao also garnered five gold medals across categories, while Rolando Ponseca Jr. earned two gold medals, two bronze medals, and one 4th place ranking in the 100 free, and Xylee Keith Siblagan earned two gold medals, a silver medal, and a 4th place ranking in the fly 50m.
Representing the Boxing team is Jobert Pagitan under the Secondary Division, under the tutelage of Head Coach Restituto Odasing, who earned a gold medal in the 54kg category.
This CARAA 2024 was a thrilling endeavor filled to the brim with talent and skill. The University of Baguio warmly congratulates all of the young athletes who participated in this year’s meet. Your victories were hard-won and well-deserved!
