Western Visayas tracksters in hot start, set new Palarong Pambansa record
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
Secondary boys' athletics defending champion Western Visayas off to a hot start in the ongoing 2011 Palarong Pambansa in Jose Rizal State University Memorial Sports Complex in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte yesterday.

Gerald Mark Layumas, a 16-year old graduating student of Colegio de Sto. Tomas in Negros Occidental, reigned in secondary boys’ long jump, registering 6.86 meters to upset Julian Reem Fuentes of Cagayan Valley, who settled for the silver in 6.85 meters. Neil Bunag of Davao Region got the bronze in 6.77 meters.

Layumas also improved his silver medal Palaro record of 6.67 meters set last year in Tarlac City and his sixth place record in 6.28 meters recorded in the 2009 Palaro in Leyte.

Two Palaro meet records were also shattered with Ralph Efraem Gesulgon of Western Visayas and Stephanie Cimatu of Ilocos Region dominated their respective events.

Ralph Efraem Gesulgon of Iloilo ruled the shot put event in the secondary boys to give Western Visayas its second gold in medal-rich athletics. Gesulgon set a new meet record in shot put with 13.68 meters, shattering the 13.19 meters of Arthur Enon of Western Mindanao in 1990.

He also improved his record 12.75 meters set in WV Regional Athletic Association Meet in Iloilo City last March 20 to 24, 2011.

Richee Joy Cabanyog from Negros Occidental took the silver in 13.48 meters and Garry Santiago, Jr. of National Capital Region got the bronze in 12.78 meters.

Ilocos Region also struck gold courtesy of Stephanie Cimatu in secondary girls’ javelin throw. She threw the iron spear to a distance of 41.27 meters to eclipse the 1998 Palarong Pambansa record of 39.72 meters set by Melba Quirino of Central Visayas.

Evalyn Palabrica and Connie Cajelo of Western Visayas took the silver and bronze medals in 38.42 meters and 36.44 meters, respectively.