By Nimfa L. Estrellado Young chess master RJay Domingo celebrates his victory as he secures the Under-Rated Champion title in the Blitz Unde...
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| Young chess master RJay Domingo celebrates his victory as he secures the Under-Rated Champion title in the Blitz Under-16 Boys Category during the Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships. (Tayabas City CICRO) |
TAYABAS CITY, Quezon - RJay Domingo of Tayabas City made history after clinching the first gold medal for the city’s delegation at the Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships being held in General Santos City. Domingo dominated the Chess Blitz Under-16 Boys Category, outplaying his rivals from Zamboanga City and Agusan del Norte, who placed second and third, respectively.
Batang Pinoy, a national youth sports competition organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), gathers young athletes aged 15 and under from cities and provinces across the country. The PSC is hosting the 2025 edition in General Santos City, which runs throughout the week and features some of the nation’s most promising young talents.
Domingo’s outstanding performance earned him the title of Under-Rated Champion, a category for developing players who are still building their national rankings. His victory highlights his rising potential in national chess and shows the determination of Tayabas City’s young athletes to succeed.
Mayor Anthony 'Piwa' Lim congratulated Domingo and all Tayabas athletes who continue to compete with dedication and excellence in the national meet. She reaffirmed that Tayabas City has prepared incentives for athletes who bring home medals from Batang Pinoy 2025, strengthening the city’s commitment to youth sports development.
Beyond chess, other Tayabas athletes also delivered commendable performances in their respective sports. Kent Andre Lavado secured fifth place in the Athletics 13 Heat 200m run, while Clarence Marco ranked fifth in the Karate-Do Kata Beginner 12–13 Under Category, and Nian Pabilando finished 13th in the Kata Cadets Category.
The Tayabas City 3-on-3 Men’s Basketball Team earned their first victory against Northern Samar and will face Maguindanao del Sur later today. Meanwhile, the Tayabas City Gymnastics, Badminton, and Arnis Teams also made their debut appearances, with Maritoni Fernandez competing in the Sayaw 16–17 Under Female Singles Stick Traditional Category.
Tayabas City marks one of its strongest showings in recent Batang Pinoy editions, demonstrating growing support for young athletes and local sports programs. As the competition continues, Tayabas City’s delegation remains determined to bring more pride and honor to their hometown.
“This win is for Tayabas,” said Domingo proudly. “I’m grateful for the support of my coaches, teammates, and our city. This motivates me to keep improving and represent Tayabas even better in future tournaments.”
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