The 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Laoag City was more than just a gathering of the country’s most promising young athletes, it was a display of passion, dedication, and regional pride. Students from across the Philippines competed not for fame, but for the honor of representing their schools and provinces, all while upholding the values of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork.
Among them were the athletes from Leyte Division, who delivered an outstanding performance by bringing home 10 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze medals. In recognition of their achievements, Leyte Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla awarded the medalists with cash incentives: ₱5,000 for gold, ₱3,000 for silver, and ₱2,000 for bronze. It was a thoughtful gesture, but also a sobering reminder of how underappreciated our student-athletes remain.
At the same time, a woman with no athletic background, training, or tangible contribution to public service or education went viral on social media for emerging from a storm drain, earning her the nickname “imburnal girl.” She became a brief internet sensation and reportedly received ₱80,000 in cash donations and sponsorships. Her only claim to fame: virality.
It is in this stark contrast that we are forced to confront a deeply uncomfortable truth about the way we reward people in this country. When a viral moment earns more than years of discipline, hard work, and sacrifice, we must ask: what kind of values are we promoting?
The young athletes of the Palarong Pambansa embody qualities we often claim to admire: resilience, determination, and sportsmanship. They train without expecting instant recognition. They compete without the promise of wealth. They represent their regions not for fame, but out of pride. And yet, in a society increasingly driven by clicks, likes, and fleeting digital moments, they are left with mere tokens for their excellence.
If I were to be asked, I would argue that this isn't simply an issue of unequal rewards. It’s a reflection of a broken value system, one that elevates entertainment over excellence, virality over virtue. What message are we sending to the next generation? That a few seconds of internet fame is more valuable than years of sweat, practice, and discipline?
To be clear, this is not a condemnation of those who find success online. But it is a plea to reevaluate our priorities as a society. We cannot continue to measure worth solely by visibility. Doing so ignores the countless young people quietly achieving greatness in classrooms, fields, and arenas across the country.
In my stand, the core issue lies not in the existence of viral fame, but in the disproportionate attention and reward it receives compared to genuine, merit-based achievements. Our athletes deserve more, not just in terms of financial support, but in recognition, media coverage, and systemic backing.
More importantly, our institutions, government agencies, educational departments, sports commissions; must be empowered and expected to create sustainable programs that invest in our youth athletes. Let their training facilities be upgraded. Let their nutrition be prioritized. Let their dreams be funded not just by local officials' generosity, but by a national mandate to value athletic development.
If we truly believe in the power of sports to build character, bridge communities, and elevate national pride, then we must act like it. Support for our athletes should not be an afterthought, it should be a priority.
As the country basks in the fleeting glow of another viral sensation, let us not forget the young champions who carried their provinces on their backs and made us proud. Their victories should not be overshadowed by internet spectacles. Their stories deserve to be heard, celebrated, and most of all, rewarded accordingly.
It’s time to shift the spotlight back to where it belongs: on the youth who grind, persevere, and uplift the nation not through spectacle, but through substance.