Batang Pinoy headed back to Bacolod
MANILA, Philippines — The Batang Pinoy, an annual sportsfest showcasing young Filipino athletes from across the nation, returns to its roots for the 2026 edition scheduled December 12-18 in Bacolod.
Known as the City of Smiles and famous for its colorful Maskara Festival and chicken inasal, Bacolod has guaranteed a successful event after it hosted its inaugural edition in 1999.
“We thank the Philippine Sports Commission for allowing us to host this year. Bacolod is prepared,” said Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC media room.
He said there are over 4,000 hotel rooms in Bacolod all ready to accommodate the delegates as well as the government schools that can be used for billeting. Competition venues, he added, are all set for the event.
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, for his part, is confident of a smooth hosting by Bacolod, which will open its doors to as many as 18,000 athletes and more than a thousand officials from 188 LGUs (Local Government Units).
“Ano ba ang criteria to host? Basta ang importante is pag involved ang mayor, kung may commitment, siguradong mangyayari,” said Gregorio of the meet that will cater to athletes aged eight to 15.
Gregorio said the PSC decided to limit the participation to 8 to 15 years old, and let athletes aged 16 or 17 years old to display their wares in the annual Palarong Pambansa.
“Sa Batang Pinoy, the athletes aged eight years old, sila ang superstars,” added Gregorio during the forum that was also graced by PSC commissioner and Batang Pinoy project director Bong Coo, DILG Undersecretary Rolando Puno, Bacolod City Administrator Atty. Mark Mayo and DepEd Director Miguel Mantaring.
Coo, a legendary bower, said there will be 30 sports disciplines to be disputed this year, an increase from last year’s 27, following the inclusion of golf, skateboarding and bowling.
The other disciplines are aquatics, archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, futsal, gymnastics, jiujitsu, judo, karate, kickboxing, muay, pencak silat, sepak takraw, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.
“We are hoping for a prosperous and successful Batang Pinoy in December,” added Coo in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus. (PSA pool story)
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