by Alexia Hernandez
It’s a triple victory for three Silliman University (SU) archers after bagging gold medals in the recently concluded 2025 Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet at Bayawan City last March 11 to 16.
Schools Division of Dumaguete City archery representatives Naina Dominique Tagle, Mariella Valbuena, and Davayn Mason secured their respective spots in the 65th Palarong Pambansa set in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on May.
Tagle, a grade 11 student from SU Senior High School, topped the 30m, 50m, 60m, and 70m distances, grabbing the division’s first gold in this year’s CVIRAA.
Moreover, Tagle won in the overall qualifying round, Olympic round, team trio, and mixed team events, hitting a historic podium finish in the archery women’s event.
“While all my competitions are memorable, I feel like this is one of the best games I’ve had, as this is the only regional competition I managed to get eight out of eight gold medals. It really felt rewarding,” Tagle said.
Inspired by her older sister’s archery career, Tagle has been competing in the regional and national sports meet for three consecutive years.
During the 2024 Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City, she clutched three gold medals and one silver in the same event for Region 7.
“I like to think each experience gets better. I learn new lessons with each competition and see new and old friends as well,” she shared.
Also advancing to Palarong Pambansa are Valbuena and Mason, grades 10 and 8 students, respectively, from SU Junior High School.
Mason is joined by other Sillimanian archers Shaun Lachic and Eian Cadayday of the Dumaguete boys archery team while Tagle and Valbuena are joined by Jemina Aglipa of the girls archery team.
Dumaguete City finished as overall fourth in the 2025 CVIRAA Meet after clinching 36 gold, 45 silver, and 40 bronze medals in different sports events.
This marked the last participation of Dumaguete, Bayawan, Bais, Tanjay, Guihulngan, and Siquijor in the regional meet under Central Visayas, as these cities and municipalities will be under the Negros Island Region next year.
Future sports competitions will see athletes from these areas representing the new regional delegation.
