Chrisia Mae Tajarros from Eastern Visayas captured the first gold medal of the 2025 Palarong Pambansa after dominating the 3000-meter secondary girls finals held at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
The 13-year-old runner completed her redemption journey by winning gold, following a silver medal finish in last year’s competition.
Tajarros, a Grade 9 student at Tanauan National High School in Leyte, finished second in the 2024 edition behind Asia Paraase of Lapu-Lapu City, who then claimed the gold.
Tajarros expressed her emotions, saying she was moved to tears by her win and that her training and hard work had paid off.
Her coach, Damaso Olidan Jr.—a former boxer and long-distance runner—said he was proud and overjoyed by Tajarros’ victory, noting that their preparation began last year.