The 2023 Palarong Pambansa, officially known as the 63rd Palarong Pambansa, also known as Palaro 2023 and Marikina 2023, was a multi-sport event held in Marikina, Metro Manila, from July 29 to August 5, 2023. Student-athletes from 17 athletic associations representing the 17 regions of the Philippines competed in different sporting events and disciplines.

63rd Palarong Pambansa
Logo of the 63rd Palarong Pambansa 2023
Host cityMarikina, Metro Manila
CountryPhilippines
Motto"Batang Malakas, Bansang Matatag."
(lit.'A Strong Youth, A Stable Nation')
Teams17 regional athletic associations
Athletes9,172
Sport34
Events1,573
OpeningJuly 29, 2023
ClosingAugust 5, 2023
Opened byPhilippine President Bongbong Marcos
Closed byPhilippine Vice President Sara Duterte
Athlete's OathAlyssa Valdez
Torch lighterBea de Leon and Mark Barroca
Main venueMarikina Sports Center
Ceremony venueMarikina Sports Center
WebsitePalaro 2023
← 2019
2024 →

Prior to that, the Games were originally scheduled in the city for 2020 but were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

Hosting

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Preparations

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Nearly three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation, the local government of Marikina, DepEd-NCR, and the Schools Division Office of Marikina are set to host the 63rd edition of Palarong Pambansa.[2]

An additional tier called the Pre-National Qualifying Meet will be introduced to lessen the number of delegations, shorten the duration of the event, and lower the expenses. Under the new tier, delegations will be clustered into four groups based on their geographical location. The top two regional delegations per cluster will then advance to the actual Palarong Pambansa event.[2]

As such, the said new level will only feature team sports. Measurable sports will adopt the qualifying distance, time, and points set by the Palarong Pambansa. Other sports that do not apply qualifying standards in the selection of athletes and are not identified as team sports will advance directly to the Palarong Pambansa culminating competitions.[2]

The modified competition format aims to prevent the disruption of classes and to observe minimum public health and safety protocols and other relevant policies and guidelines issued. Aside from student-athletes from the 17 regional athletic associations, Filipino athletes enrolled in recognized schools overseas will also be allowed to compete in individual sports under the banner of Philippine Schools Overseas.[2]

On February 6 and April 24, Palarong Pambansa conducted a 5-day division and regional meets according to DepEd Memorandum No. 5, s. 2023, as recommended by the Palarong Pambansa Secretariat.[3]

On July 22, Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Sara Duterte led the inspection of playing venues at the Marikina Sports Center prior to the press launch. She was joined in the technical inspection by Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, Interior and Local Government secretary Benhur Abalos, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann and Marikina Sports Center administrator Angelito Llabres. Duterte and Teodoro also signed the memorandum of agreement between DepEd and the Marikina government for the hosting of Palaro 2023.[4]

 
Torch bearers

Host city

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Student athletes
 
Marikina Sports Center, the main venue of the Games

This is Marikina's first time hosting the Palarong Pambansa and the first time since the halt of the event due to the COVID 19 pandemic.[5] It is also NCR's fifth hosting since the 1966 Palarong Pambansa held in Quezon City, after 54 years. Marikina will be the fourth city in NCR to stage the Palarong Pambansa after Manila, Pasig, and Quezon City (1948 and 1960, 1964, and 1966 respectively).[6]

Marikina is part of the NCR contingent and Marikina Sports Center will serve as the main venue as well as the grand opening ceremony on July 31, two days after the Games' pre-event activities (such as meetings, refreshers, and training) started, and the closing ceremony. Marikina also bids the recent editions of Palarong Pambansa and all won as one of the candidate cities: 2014 (runner-up to Sta. Cruz, Laguna)[7] and 2012 (runner-up to Lingayen, Pangasinan).[8]

In history, Marikina was supposed to host the "31st" Palarong Pambansa in 1980 but was canceled. Marikina hosted the 1980 Palarong Bagong Lipunan as a substitute for the 1980 Palarong Pambansa.[9]

Marikina also previously hosted some major multi-sporting events: NCR Palaro, 2014 ASEAN School Games, 2011 UAAP Season 74, 2005 Southeast Asian Games, 1980 Palarong Bagong Lipunan, the first edition of 1973 Asian Athletics Championships and 1972 ISF Men's World Championship.

The Games

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Participating regions

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  Host Region

Regions
Code Official name Region colors
BARMAA Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao   
CARAA Cordillera Administrative Region   
NCRAA National Capital Region   
I-R1AA Region I / Ilocos Region   
II-CAVRAA Region II / Cagayan Valley   
III-CLRAA Region III / Central Luzon   
IV-A STCAA Region IV-A / Southern Tagalog - Calabarzon   
IV-B MRAA Region IV-B / Southern Tagalog - Mimaropa   
V-BRAA Region V / Bicol Region   
VI-WVRAA Region VI / Western Visayas   
VII-CVIRAA Region VII / Central Visayas   
VIII-EVRAA Region VIII / Eastern Visayas   
IX-ZPRAA Region IX / Zamboanga Peninsula   
X-NMRAA Region X / Northern Mindanao   
XI-DAVRAA Region XI / Davao Region   
XII-SRAA Region XII / Soccsksargen   
CARAGA Region XIII / Caraga   

Tiers

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A Pre-National Qualifying Meet was introduced to lessen the number of delegations, shorten the duration of the event, and lower the expenses. As such, the said new level will only feature team sports such as baseball, basketball, football, futsal, sepak takraw, football, and volleyball. Under the new tier, delegations will be clustered into four groups based on their geographical location.[10]

 
Cauldron lighters Bea de Leon (volleyball) and Mark Barroca (basketball)

Cluster 1

Cluster 2

Cluster 3

Cluster 4

Billeting areas

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Schools to be used as billeting quarters for 2023 Palarong Pambansa. [11]

  Host Region

Billeting quarters for student-athletes
Region Billeting Area Location
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Industrial Valley ES
Industrial Valley NHS
Industrial Valley Complex
Cordillera Administrative Region Barangka ES
Barangka NHS
Barangka
Tañong HS Tañong
National Capital Region Sto. Niño ES
Sto. Niño NHS
Santo Niño
Region I - Ilocos Region San Roque ES
San Roque NHS
San Roque
Region II - Cagayan Valley SSS Village ES
SSS Village NHS
Concepcion Dos
Region III - Central Luzon Parang ES Parang
Region IV-A - Southern Tagalog - Calabarzon Parang NHS Parang
Region IV-B - Southern Tagalog - Mimaropa Concepcion ES Concepcion Uno
Region V - Bicol Region Marikina HS Concepcion Uno
Region VI - Western Visayas Calumpang ES
Calumpang NHS
Calumpang
Region VII - Central Visayas Malanday ES Malanday
Region VIII - Eastern Visayas Marikina ES Santa Elena
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula H. Bautista ES Concepcion Uno
Region X - Northern Mindanao Nangka ES Nangka
Region XI - Davao Region Concepcion Integrated School Concepcion Uno
Region XII - Soccsksargen Fortune ES
Fortune HS
Fortune
Region XIII - Caraga Jesus Dela Peña NHS
L. Victorino ES
Jesus Dela Peña
Billeting quarters for officials and committees
Officials Billeting Area Location
National Screening and Accreditation Committee (NSAC) /
National Technical Working Group (NTWG)
Regional Educational Learning Center (RELC) / National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) Concepcion Uno
Philippine School Overseas (PSOs) Technical & Officials Jehoshua Academy Marikina Heights
Philippine Youth Convergence Infant Jesus Academy Concepcion Dos
Marist School Marikina Heights
Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College Marikina Heights
St. Scholastica's Academy Marikina Heights
Technical Officiating Officials Kapitan Moy ES Santa Elena
Marikina Heights HS Marikina Heights
Santa Elena HS Santa Elena

Notes: ES – Elementary School, HS – High School, NHS – National High School

Sports

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A total of 34 sports disciplines, including the para-games, demonstrations, and exhibition sports.[12]

It also features the Indigenous Filipino (Traditional) Games, also known as "Laro ng Lahi", the DepEd will conduct Kadang-kadang, Tumbang Preso, and Patintero on July 28, as part of 2023 Palarong Pambansa.[13]

Demonstration Sports

Exhibition Sports

Parasports

Regular Sports

Venues

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Playing venues to be used for 2023 Palarong Pambansa.[14]

Regular Sports
Event Venue Location
  Opening and Closing Ceremonies Marikina Sports Center Santa Elena
  Archery STI Goldtoe Archery Center Barangka
  Arnis Marist HS Gymnasium Marikina Heights
  Athletics Marikina Sports Center - Athletics Track & Field Santa Elena
Philsports Stadium PhilSports Complex
  Badminton Trevi Sports Gymnasium Concepcion Uno
  Baseball Marquinton Baseball Field Santo Niño
Santo Niño Baseball Field Santo Niño
  Basketball Marikina Sports Center Gymnasium [Finals] Santa Elena
Marist HS Gymnasium Marikina Heights
Marist ES Gymnasium Marikina Heights
PBL/Lambak Gymnasium Santa Elena
  Billiards Sta. Lucia Bowling & Billiards Center Sta. Lucia East Center
  Boxing Plaza De Los Alcades (Marikina City Hall Grounds) Santa Elena
  Chess Marikina Convention Center Concepcion Dos
  Football Ateneo Football Field Ateneo de Manila University
Marikina Sports Center - Football Field [Finals] Santa Elena
Marist Football Field Marikina Heights
  Futsal Hacieda Heights Gymnasium Concepcion Dos
  Gymnastics San Andres Gymnasium (Aerobic) San Andres Sports Complex
Rizal Memorial Coliseum (Artistic) Rizal Mem. Sports Complex
Ninoy Aquino Stadium (Rhythmic) Rizal Mem. Sports Complex
  Sepak takraw Marikina HS Gymnasium Concepcion Uno
  Softball Patio Rosario Open Field Sumulong Highway
  Swimming Marikina Sports Center - Indoor Pool Santa Elena
  Table tennis Jem Civic Center Parang
  Taekwondo St. Scholasticas Academy Gymnasium Marikina Heights
  Tennis Fin Asia Tennis Court Sumulong Highway
Rancho Estate 1 & 2 Multipurpose Hall Concepcion Dos
Suburbia East Tennis Center Parang
  Volleyball Marikina Sports Center - Volleyball Area Santa Elena
Marikit Multipurpose Gymnasium Santo Niño
OLOPSC Gymnasium Marikina Heights
  Wrestling Simeona Gymnasium Concepcion Uno
  Wushu Vista Valley Gymnasium Santo Niño
Demonstration Sports
Event Venue Location
  Dancesport National Christian Life College Auditorium Santo Niño
  Pencak Silat Parkland Estate Gymnasium Malanday
Special Para Events
Event Venue Location
  Athletics Marikina Sports Center - Athletics Track & Field Santa Elena
Philsports Stadium PhilSports Complex
  Bocce Loyola Grand Villas Gymnasium Loyola Grand Villas
  Goalball Loyola Grand Villas Gymnasium Loyola Grand Villas
  Swimming Marikina Sports Center - Indoor Pool Santa Elena
Exhibition Sports
Event Venue Location
  Cheerdancing Marikina Sports Center Gymnasium Santa Elena
  Esports Teatro Marikina San Roque
  Obstacle course Marikina Sports Center Gymnasium Santa Elena
  Weightlifting Marikina Sports Center Gymnasium Santa Elena
  Kadang-kadang (Indigenous game) Marikina Sports Center Gymnasium Santa Elena
  Patintero (Indigenous game) Marikina Sports Center Gymnasium Santa Elena
  Tumbang Preso (Indigenous game) Marikina Sports Center Gymnasium Santa Elena

Source: 2023 Palarong Pambansa Playing Venues

Calendar

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OC Opening ceremony Event competitions F/M Finals/Medal events CC Closing ceremony
July August Events
28
Sat
29
Sat
30
Sun
31
Mon
1
Tue
2
Wed
3
Thu
4
Fri
5
Sat
  Ceremonies OC CC
Regular and Demonstration1 Sports
  Archery M
  Arnis M
  Athletics M M M M M M
  Badminton M
  Baseball M
  Basketball M
  Billiards M
  Boxing M
  Chess M
  Dancesport1 M
  Football M
  Futsal M
  Gymnastics: Aerobics M
  Gymnastics: Artistic M M
  Gymnastics: Rhythmic M
  Pencak Silat1 M
  Sepak takraw M
  Softball M
  Swimming M M M M
  Table tennis M M M
  Taekwondo M
  Tennis M M
  Volleyball M M
  Wrestling M
  Wushu M
Parasports
  Athletics M M M M
  Bocce M
  Goalball M
  Swimming M M M
Exhibition Sports
  Cheerdancing F
  Esports F
  Obstacle course F
  Weightlifting F
  Indigenous Sports

Source: 2023 Palarong Pambansa Schedule of Games

Medal tally

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Regular games

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As of 5 August 2023, 11:59:59PM (UTC+8); Overall ranking

  Host Region

RankRegionGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1National Capital Region (NCRAA)*857455214
2Western Visayas (VI-WVRAA)604544149
3Calabarzon (IV-A STCAA)525257161
4Central Luzon (III-CLRAA)283346107
5Central Visayas (VII-CVIRAA)26183579
6Davao Region (XI-DavRAA)21182766
7Northern Mindanao (X-NMRAA)19203372
8Soccsksargen (XII-SRAA)17193470
9Cordillera Administrative Region (CARAA)17171448
10Bicol Region (V-BRAA)13152250
11Ilocos Region (I-R1AA)9112343
12Cagayan Valley (II-CAVRAA)8131738
13Mimaropa (IV-B MRAA)681327
14Eastern Visayas (VIII-EVRAA)5171537
15Caraga (CARAGA)4112035
16Zamboanga Peninsula (IX-ZPRAA)351321
17Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMAA)2046
Totals (17 entries)3753764721,223

Demonstration games

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As of 5 August 2023, 11:59:59PM (UTC+8); Overall ranking

  Host Region

RankRegionGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Western Visayas (VI-WVRAA)138223
2Central Visayas (VII-CVIRAA)63312
3Soccsksargen (XII-SRAA)42612
4Davao Region (XI-DavRAA)40913
5Eastern Visayas (VIII-EVRAA)2406
6Northern Mindanao (X-NMRAA)1203
7National Capital Region (NCRAA)*0707
8Zamboanga Peninsula (IX-ZPRAA)0257
9Bicol Region (V-BRAA)0123
Calabarzon (IV-A STCAA)0123
11Caraga (CARAGA)0022
12Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMAA)0000
Cagayan Valley (II-CAVRAA)0000
Central Luzon (III-CLRAA)0000
Cordillera Administrative Region (CARAA)0000
Ilocos Region (I-R1AA)0000
Mimaropa (IV-B MRAA)0000
Totals (17 entries)30303191

Para games

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As of 5 August 2023, 11:59:59PM (UTC+8)

  Host Region

RankRegionGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Western Visayas (VI-WVRAA)2713646
2Davao Region (XI-DavRAA)1291031
3Calabarzon (IV-A STCAA)94922
4Bicol Region (V-BRAA)75618
5Central Luzon (III-CLRAA)74213
6Zamboanga Peninsula (IX-ZPRAA)7119
7Soccsksargen (XII-SRAA)48214
8Central Visayas (VII-CVIRAA)42511
9Ilocos Region (I-R1AA)42410
10National Capital Region (NCRAA)*29819
11Cordillera Administrative Region (CARAA)2002
12Caraga (CARAGA)1405
13Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMAA)0213
14Cagayan Valley (II-CAVRAA)0112
15Eastern Visayas (VIII-EVRAA)0000
Mimaropa (IV-B MRAA)0000
Northern Mindanao (X-NMRAA)0000
Totals (17 entries)866455205

Controversy

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During the closing ceremony at the Marikina Sports Center, a portion of the drone show erroneously depicted the Philippine flag with its blue and red strips interchanged, a variation used in a state of war. Following the ceremony, the supplier of the drones, DroneTechPH, issued a public apology, admitting that it was unable to test the drone sequence ahead of the ceremony, citing inclement weather.[15]

On August 6, 2023, the Marikina City Government issued a statement condemning the error and announcing their intention to pursue legal action against the company.[16]

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References

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  1. ^ "DepEd to propose cancellation of Palarong Pambansa 2020 amid COVID-19 emergency". GMA Network. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Palarong Pambansa set for 2023 comeback, introduces Pre-National Qualifying Meet". DepEd.gov.ph. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Athletes arrive in Marikina ahead of Palarong Pambansa". ABS-CBN. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  4. ^ Masoy, Niel Victor (21 July 2023). "Marikina City all set to host 2023 Palarong Pambansa". The Manila Times. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  5. ^ Yalao, Khriscielle (21 July 2023). "DepEd, Marikina LGU formalize partnership for 'Palarong Pambansa' 2023". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Marikina hosts 2020 Palaro". Philippine Star Global. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. ^ "Laguna promises memorable Palarong Pambansa week". Rappler. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  8. ^ "Pangasinan to host 2012 Palaro". Inquirer.net. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  9. ^ "2020 Palarong Pambansa gaganapin sa Mayo 1-9 sa Marikina". Bandera Inquirer. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Palarong Pambansa set for 2023 comeback, introduces Pre-National Qualifying Meet | Department of Education".
  11. ^ "Billeting areas". palarongpambansa2023.marikina.gov.ph/. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  12. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart; Philippine News Agency (22 July 2023). "Esports to be played in Palaro '23". Philippine Canadian Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  13. ^ "DepEd to feature Larong Pinoy, Para-Games, weightlifting, other exhibition games in Palaro 2023 in Marikina | Department of Education". Department of Education. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Playing Venue". 2023 Palarong Pambansa Marikina. June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  15. ^ Isaga, JR (2023-08-06). "Palarong Pambansa drone supplier apologizes for PH flag mishap; Marikina plans legal action". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  16. ^ "Marikina LGU to sue supplier over inverted PH flag shown at Palarong Pambansa drone show". GMA News Online. 2023-08-06. Retrieved 2023-08-06.