LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Chrisia Mae Tajarros of Tanauan National High School did not travel 1,200 kms from Leyte just to settle for another bridesmaid finish in the secondary girls’ 3,000-meter run.
On a torrid Monday morning here, the vengeful Eastern Visayas bet had a coronation run, blazing to win the coveted first gold medal in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium (FEMMS).
The incoming Grade 9 student was a runner in a mission and completed the race in 10 minutes and 18.6 seconds, with a breakaway in the first 400 meters.
There was no looking behind for Tajarros – who braided her long hair last year as part of her plan for a redemption run – with her closest peers Mary Mae Magbanua of CARAGA (10:48.4) and Nathalei Faye Miguel of host Ilocos Norte (10:50.4) coming in more than 30 seconds after.
A swimmer-turned-trackster, she ran extra miles and laps – literally and figuratively – on the entire 28-strong field and went on to improve on her silver feat behind now-college student Asia Abucay Paraase of Lapu-Lapu City in her debut last year in the Cebu Palaro.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay God dahil narinig niya ang mga panalangin at sacrifice ko. Minsan po kasi, kung mag-training ako, umiiyak po. Tapos ‘yung pag-iyak ko, ginagawa ko na lang motivation para makuha ‘yung gintong medalya,” said Tajarros, in tears with her coach Damaso Oledan Jr. at the finish line.
“Worth it po lahat ng pinagpaguran ko. Buong taon, double training po kami kada araw – umaga at hapon, umaraw man o umulan. Doble po lahat.”
Tajarros’ tears weren’t just for the joy of winning but also for disappointment in missing her target of breaking the Palaro record of 10:03.4 set by her idol Meagay Niñura of Davao Region in 2016 Palaro in Legazpi, Albay.
“Ito po ang best time ko pero gusto ko po ma-maintain po ‘yung pagiging champion ko at mapaghandaan ko na ma-break yung record,” said the eldest daughter of fish vendors in San Miguel, Leyte.
She chases a second gold medal in her pet event 1,500m on Thursday.
Tajarros is still a thousand miles away from her ultimate dream – making it to the Olympics and becoming an astronaut. One way or another, count on her to make a run for it.
Tajarros’ win was followed by Efosa John Paul Aguinaldo’s victory in secondary boys’ long jump with 6.90m to make it two quick golds for Eastern Visayas.