By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The taekwondo delegation of the City of Love made waves during the Batang Pinoy national sporting event held at the Paleco Gym, in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
During the seven-day tournament, the young Ilonggo jins collected a total of three golds, two silvers, and six bronze medals in both the kyorugi and the poomsae categories.
April Joy Seguiban from Santa Barbara CNHS, Sophia Marie Bautista from Ateneo de Iloilo, and Nathan Lee Dedal from the Province of Iloilo delivered the gold medals for the Iloilo delegation.
Seguiban reigned supreme in the kyorugi Under-144 cm cadet female division, Bautista in the U-168 cm of the same division, while Dedal ruled the Individual Cadet Male Poomsae event.
Meanwhile, those who took home the silver medals were Antonio Caesar Roldan and Mary Bernadette Algarja who entered the same category in the kyorugi event.
Roldan is currently with the St. Robert’s International Academy of Iloilo while Algarja is from Alimodian National High School.
Last but not the least, the poomsae cadet boys team composed of Phil Caleb Regalado, Sirhc Einreb Damaolao, and Jan Emmanuel Dayata led the list of the bronze medalists from Iloilo.
After the bronze finish of the cadet boys team, the cadet female squad of Margaret Gem Obsequio, Nicah Jane Robles, and Charee Marie Florence Genecela beat the buzzer to also claim the third place.
Completing the medalists for the Iloilo delegation were Jenella Ashley Tionko, Fritzjerald Encanto, Justin Adrian Apura, and Hatem El-Haj Hassan.
Mentoring the Ilonggo jins from the Iloilo City side is Master Aubrey Mongao, assisted by his staff: Sir Franklin del Rosario, Sir Christer John Gersanib, and Sir Angelo Osayda. Meanwhile, taking the helm of the Province is Mark V. Pinggol.
