By Edwin Rollon
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) Secretary General Eric Buhain expressed satisfaction over the success of the association’s grassroots development program, saying it is now yielding results at the national level.
Buhain made the remarks as nine recent Games records broke on the opening day of the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Finals at the swimming center of the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex on Sunday.
Home bet Christian Isaiah Lagnason of General Santos City led the charge, setting two new records in the boys’ 12–13 category — the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter freestyle — both previously held by Pasig City’s Arvin Naeem Taguinota II.
Cheered on by the hometown crowd, Lagnason clocked 2 minutes, 19.63 seconds in the 200m IM, erasing the old mark of 2:22.02, and 57.26 seconds in the 100m freestyle, surpassing the previous record of 57.92.
“I’m not really surprised. Since gaining recognition from both the Philippine Olympic Committee and World Aquatics, we have focused intensely on our grassroots program,” said Buhain, the country’s most decorated swimmer in history. “We’ve maintained consistent regional age-group meets and coaching seminars nationwide.”
Sophia Rose Garra of Malabon City, a Palarong Pambansa medalist and Batang Pinoy regular, added to the record spree with a new mark of 30.71 seconds in the girls’ 12–13 50m backstroke, breaking Nicola Diamante’s old record of 33.16.
In other events, Rhian Casey Casona of Mandaue City posted 31.92 seconds to set a new girls’ 14–15 50m backstroke record, while FJ Catherine Cruz of Mabalacat City registered 31.23 seconds in the 16–17 division, narrowly beating the old mark by 0.06 seconds.
Ashton Clyde Jose of Santa Rosa, Laguna, another PAI regular, also entered the record books with a 2:15.12 finish in the boys’ 16–17 individual medley.
In the boys’ 14–15 100m freestyle, all podium finishers eclipsed the previous record of 56.17 seconds, with Mandaluyong’s Kevin Bryle Chan taking gold in 55.39 seconds. Dylan Edward Plaza of Negros Oriental (29.82s) and Roland Aaron Seprado of Pasig City (28.32s) also set new records in the boys’ 12–13 and 14–15 50m backstroke, respectively.
Over at the track oval, Divine Pablito of Bago City delivered the first gold medal in athletics, ruling the girls’ U18 discus throw with a 32.19-meter effort on her first attempt — a strong improvement from her eighth place finish last year in Palawan.
The 17-year-old Ramon Torres National High School student bested Trisha Nalla of Maasin City (31.26m) and Gwenn Julia Salac of Tarlac (30.05m).
In boys’ shot put, Rich Justin Torres of Tarlac claimed gold with a 14.01-meter throw, followed by Kharl Allen Ecija of Bago City (13.58m) and CJ Clark Lopez of Caloocan City (13.25m).
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair John Patrick Gregorio lauded all participants, especially the early medalists, calling their performances “the first steps toward achieving greatness in sports.”
“From grassroots to gold, to greatness — that is our mission,” Gregorio said. “Let’s continue supporting the dreams of our young athletes.”
