Chrisia Mae Tajarros defends 3000m title in 2026 Palarong Pambansa

AGUSAN DEL SUR — Chrisia Mae Tajarros captured her second straight gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa after dominating the secondary girls’ 3000m finals on Monday at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor D.O. Plaza Sports Complex.

The Region 8 representative controlled her pace in the first few laps then pulled away to secure this year's first gold medal with an impressive time of 10:04.76 minutes, eclipsing her 10:18.6-minute finish last year.

Tajarros edged Angel Lumacang, her schoolmate at the Tanauan National High School in Leyte, as the latter grabbed the silver medal in her last Palarong Pambansa stint.

Lumacang posted 10:16.24 to settle for silver while Charlen Cos of of Region 11 claimed the bronze with a time of 10:27.20.

"First of all, thank you po sa itaas, all glory to God," the 14-year-old Tajarros said as she also thanked those who supported her.

"[Maging] patient lang po and manalig sa Diyos."

Tajarros, who reigned supreme in the same event in Ilocos Norte in 2025, said she felt much more confident in her performance this Palaro after a grueling year-long preparation.

"Confident lang po na kaya ko ‘to, nag-training ako ng halos isang taon para mag-prepare dito kasi once in a year lang ‘tong Palaro," she added.

—JKC, GMA News