By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Dominance personified.
In a taekwondo setting where the best of the best Ilonggo jins met to vie for glory, the prestigious Iloilo Mark V. Pinggol (MVP) gym proved why they produce quality champions during the recently concluded Iloilo Schools Sports Council (ISSC) Meet.
After days of grueling competition, the Iloilo MVP gym jins raked a total of 16 gold medals, helping 10 players from the ILOPRISAA, ICSSC, and the 4th Congressional District earn a ticket for the upcoming Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA).
The Iloilo MVP jins are trained and led by no other than Mr. Pinggol himself, the founder and the lead instructor of the widely renowned taekwondo stable based in Iloilo.
Fresh off winning several tournaments during their recent local circuit appearances, the Pinggol-mentored jins picked up where they left off and asserted their dominance against the best representatives from the Iloilo City and Province.
Leading the pack of the champion jins are Samantha Gayle Go, Sophia Marie Bautista, Joel Alexander Caña, Jenella Ashley Tionko, and Andria Margaret Palabrica.
Also nabbing the gold medal midway through the tournament are Rhyden Uri Figueroa, Anthony Benedict Planta, Mary Bernadette Algarja, Cian Veedant Alonday, Adenny Lourl Rivera, Cleo Alexandria Evangelista, Amber Gale Abellar, Jin Saimon Saquilon, Merial Ann Detablan, Lindsy Lorraine Degayo, and Arvin Kirk Derayunan.
Other jins who delivered silver and bronze medals for their respective districts are Prince Ivan Dugayo, Maczen Rea, Nicah Jane Robles, Duncan Kyle Rivera, Leozette Denisse Benson, Melben Raljan Elueso, Trisha Jane Montaño, Fritzjerald Encanto, Recca Grafil, Xabriel Gebucion, James Annrhey Pecayco, Geon Ivan Dulaca, Justin Adrian Apura, Aaleyah Casco, Kylie Olivares, Portia Margarico, and Viene Dulaca.
Meanwhile, Degayo and Derayunan, two of the best Iloilo MVP products, turned heads after winning special awards as members of the Poomsae category best players.
“Thank you to all DepEd & MVP Coaches. We also extend our thanks to the entire MVP Family for your all-out support during the three days of the ISSC Meet. Truly, Unity is power! Padayon, next stop WVRAA MEET,” said Mr. Pinggol in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
