ZAMBOANGA Del Sur entry Giethyl Daze Lubguban took high jump as a sport because of one thing– she simply wanted to jump.
Bucking the downpour and stormy weather conditions, she soared with grit, poise, and grace to gain sporting glory on her first try yesterday.
Lugbugan leapt 1.40 meters to rule the elementary girls high jump event to bag the gold medal for the Zamboanga Peninsula Region and win the first gold in the 63rd Palarong Pambansa at the PhilSports Track and Field Oval in Pasig.
Lubguban went into battle not lacking motivation, dedicating her triumph to her parents.
“Proud na proud ang parents ko sa akin lalo na ang papa ko na wala dito, nasa ibang bansa,” a teary-eyed Lubguban, a product of Upper Panikian Integrated School, said.
“Gusto ko talagang manalo, maka-gold para maging proud sila sa akin.
“Bata pa lang ako gusto ko nang tumalon, mahilig akong tumalon, tapos sumali ako sa mga jumping events kasi gusto kong tumalon. Hindi ko ini-expect na mananalo ako dito,” the lanky 5-foot-5 Lubguban, whose father watched her stint via Facebook Live in Taiwan, added.
Lubguban, 12, emerged as the first mint winner in the Games’ return after a three-year hiatus due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
She edged Central Luzon’s Brieyanna Nichole Camacho, who took home the silver with a jump of 1.37 meters.
Western Visayas’ Shanelle Jane Felomino, Central Luzon’s Shanelle Dulay, and Davao Region’s Zaharrah Venice Panit wound up with the bronze medals after clearing 1.31 meters each.
Marikina is hosting the Palarong Pambansa for the first time.
