Rain fails to dampen spirits as Pacquiao, Diaz lead Batang Pinoy 2025 opening in GenSan

A light drizzle greeted the colorful opening of the Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships, but the rain did little to dampen the energy of athletes and spectators as Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao led the torch relay and cauldron lighting at the General Santos City Sports Complex, Oct 25.

The two sports icons headlined the ceremony, symbolically igniting the flame of youth sports development after keynote messages from GenSan Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Pato Gregorio.

Despite the wet weather, hundreds of young athletes from 188 local government units (LGUs) paraded across the field, waving their banners in celebration of the country’s premier grassroots sports event.

Friday marked Day 0 of the weeklong meet, which also highlighted the ongoing Batang Pinoy Night Market that opened on October 21 at the Oval Plaza, along with the rollout of free shuttle rides from billeting quarters to sports venues, easily identified by Batang Pinoy stickers on vehicles across the city.

Leading this year’s competition is Pasig City, which aims to defend its overall championship crown with 105 gold, 64 silver, and 116 bronze medals. 

The powerhouse delegation brought a 675-strong roster of athletes, backed by 162 coaches and 34 officials and staff.

Baguio City ranked second overall with 92 gold, 72 silver, and 89 bronze. 

Quezon City placed third with 59 gold, 55 silver, and 53 bronze, while Davao City and General Santos City rounded out the top five with 39-44-37 and 36-30-40 medal tallies, respectively.

As the cauldron blazed through the evening drizzle, cheers echoed from the stands,  a fitting start to a competition that celebrates resilience, passion, and the enduring Filipino spirit in sports. 

The games are ongoing as of posting, with solidarity meetings and other scheduled activities set to take place in the coming days.