Bataan reclaims crown after 9 years

After nine years, Bataan was adjudged overall champion in the WorldSkills Philippines Central Luzon – 2026 Regional Skills Olympics, held last May 11 to 13 in Bulacan, bringing home nine gold and three silver medals,

Acting TESDA Provincial Director- Bataan Juliette T. Feliciano shared that the reclaimed title was a product of collective effort of both experts and the competitors.

“Ang tagumpay po na ito ay bunga ng sama-samang pagsisikap ng Provincial Government of Bataan, TESDA, at ating mga technical vocational institutions, mga trainers, at mga experts po natin na nagbigay ng kanilang buong husay, dedikasyon, at determinasyon para sa karangalan ng ating lalawigan,” Feliciano said.

Bataan will represent the region in the nationwide competition come August 2026, to be held in Clark, Pampanga.

Meanwhile, one of the gold medalists, Princess Marielle Visda under the Hotel Reception category shared the preparations she made before joining the competition. “Maraming weeks po ng training, puyat, at pagod pero okay lang po dahil malaki po ‘yung suporta from the school and the experts po,” Visda said.| Contributed by JOHN MICHAEL PASCUBILLO