MANILA – Some of the country's brightest young athletes took the spotlight at the 5th Siklab Youth Sports Awards held on Saturday at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio underscored the importance of recognizing the young athletes to motivate them and inspire others.
"I think we all believe and we all agree that sports is really a great equalizer across social status and across ages. That is why we know there is power in the grassroots development," he said.
"Every awardee here is a living proof of opportunities that sports can create for children of every age, gender, language, religion, and culture across the nation," Gregorio added.
The PSC chief said they are pushing very hard to develop and implement the new revitalized national grassroots sports development program.
"We will support this because giving an award is the best gift we can give to our national athletes and to our youth athletes. And I promise you that the Philippine Sports Commission will be here to support all these projects and we will support all the development of all your youth athletes," Gregorio said.
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Among the elite junior athletes recognized were five-time Siklab awardee gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo and weightlifters Albert Ian Delos Santos, Jay-R Colonia, Alexandra Ann Diaz, Althea Bacaro, and Jhodie Peralta.
The weightlifters brought home 10 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals from the 2025 World Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Lima, Peru.
Other Youth Heroes Awardees include golfer Rianne Malixi, Pi Durden Wangkey for athletics, Dean Darnet Venerable for taekwondo, tennis star Tenny Madis, triathlete Kira Ellis, and volleybelle Sam Cantada.
Para athlete Alyana Nuñez was honored for her triple gold in shotput, discus throw, and long jump at the 2024 Philippine National Para Games and 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
Winners from the 2025 Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy Games were also given awards in the ceremony.
Among them was Youth Heroes Awardee swimmer Sophia Rose Garra, who bagged seven gold medals at the Palarong Pambansa in the elementary girl's division.
She was in attendance with her family and Olympian coach Jenny Guerrero.
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The 13-year-old from Malabon, who is also a brown belt in taekwondo, said the award is special because it was her first.
"Sobrang thankful and grateful po talaga na nakatanggap po ako ng award na ganito since first time ko nakatanggap ng ganito. Sobrang saya kasi ngayon lang ako nakatanggap ng ganito," she said.
Garra is looking forward to continue her winning streak in the high school division.
"Next year po goal ko parin mag-break ng records kahit na underdog palang ako. Since Grade 7 palang po ako, then yung ibang kalaban ko Grade 10, 11 and 12," she said.
Her main goal is to reach the Olympics, just like her coach, who competed in the 2000 Sydney Summer Games.
Garra is grateful her parents and school are supportive of her swimming career.
"Siya talaga pumili na swimming yung bibigyan niya ng focus. Masasabi ko nag-excel naman siya sa choice na pinili niya," Alma Garra, Sophia's mother said.
"Super proud ako sa kanya kasi nakikita ko yung araw-araw na hirap niya. Masasabi ko na deserve talaga ni Sophia yung award na ito grabe yung pinakita niyang galing at dedication niya sa craft niya," she added.
Three-time jiu-jitsu world champion Aleia Aielle Aguilar likewise received her third straight Siklab Super Kids award after striking gold at the Pan Kids IBJJF Tournament last July.
"I feel very happy and proud to get this award. I just stay strong [to win]," the eight-year-old jiu-jitsu prodigy said.
Jiu-jitsu master and Wrestling Association of the Philippines President Alvin Aguilar is grateful for the recognition of his daughter's hard work.
"We're very very proud of her and she's very very happy because she's worked hard for this," he said.
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"It's very important the sun shines in their faces so they can get the recognition they deserved. It won't just be the older athletes, but also the younger athletes because they train just as hard, if not harder," he added.
Super Kids Awardee karateka Raphael Herrera is happy to be recognized after clinching bronze at the U14 Male Kata Individual event at the 2nd Asian Karate Youth Open Championship and Training Camp in Hangzhou, China.
"[I'm] happy because all of the training and effort I put in [was recognized]. It's hard because it takes a lot of months to prepare," he shared.
Herrera said his dream is to win an Olympic medal in the future and for karate to be more famous in the Philippines.
The young athletes shared their advice to Filipinos who are aspiring to enter the competitive sports world
"Advice ko lang po talaga is believe in yourself. Kayo lang po makaka motivate sa sarili niyo na kaya niyo yan," Garra said.
Three special distinctions were also conferred at the Siklab Youth Awards ceremony.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo was named Sports Idol of the Year.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carreon was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, while golf patron Christian Gonzalez was named Godfather of the Year.
A total of 72 awardees were recognized by the POC PSC PPC Media Group, which organized the 5th Siklab Youth Awards.