
Hallasgo’s gold
SOUTHEAST Asian Games champion Christine Hallasgo hardly worked out a sweat in bagging the gold medal in the women’s division 10,000m run in the Philippine National Games held at the PhilSports Track and Field oval in Pasig.
The 31-year-old Hallasgo recorded a time of 37 minutes and 06.96 seconds in securing the gold medal ahead of Artjoy Torregosa of Cebu (39:09.49), who took the silver medal; and April Joy Baura Alampayan of Bohol (39:10.04) , who settled for the bronze medal.
It was Hallasgo’s first appearance at the PNG organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman Richard Bachmann. and supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), PBA, Milo and Pocari Sweat.
Aside from aiming for gold, Hallasgo said she hopes to inspire her fellow athletes participating in the event.
Rashed Faith Burdeos of Tuguegarao also showcased her skils by clinching the gold in the U-20 women;s discus throw women’s division with 36.27.
The silver medal went to Rechelle Bonite Barbin of amarines Sur (34.41) while the bronze was secured by Janine Aliviado Ledina of Baguio (33.96) .
Chrizzel Lanipa of Zamboanga also reigned supreme by taking the gold in the shot put in the women’s division.
Ainah Marie Agapito Masangkay of Pasig and Kasandra Hazel Ranay Alcantara took the silver and bronze, medals respectively.`
The other gold medalists in athletics were Pasig’s Anna Marie Masangkay in the women’s open discus throw with a heave of 36.83 meters, Heart Sauso Duarte of Maasin, Leyte in the women’s U18 shot put (11.38), San Fernando, Pampanga’s Marvin Perez Ramos in the men’s U20 long jump (55.68) and Manila’s John Allen Butiong in the men’s U20 javelin throw (55.68).
In swimming, UAAP Season 86 Swimming MVP and Rookie of the Year Quendy Fernandez of Puerto Princesa captured two gold medals to become the second double gold medalist
A day after Miguel Barreto of Bulacan earned the distinction of being the first multiple gold medalist, Fernandez came away with golds in the women’s 18-and-over 50-meter butterfly and 100-meter backstroke events.
The 18-year-old freshman from University of the Philippines-Diliman narrowly won over Mandaluyong’s Jinzy Azze Dasion in ruling the 50-meter butterfly in 29.34 seconds to the latter’s 29.93 Fernandez,the daughter of a Palawan city government employee,had an easier time in ruling the 100-meter backstroke in 1:07.66, nearly five seconds faster than Pasig’s Shane Francine Lugay (1:11.66) .
Elder sister and teammate Cindy took the bronze (1:11.76).
“I was not really expecting this because this is my first PNG so I am extremely happy. Hopefully, I can add more,” said Fernandez, who rose to prominence with the UP Maroons in the UAAP last November with victories in the women’s 50, 100 and 200-meter backstroke events.