LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — The Bicol Region’s biggest school sports festival is officially back on center stage as Palarong Bicol 2026 opens March 1 (3:00 PM) at the Bicol University Grandstand in Legazpi City, with competitions to be staged across multiple venues around the city and nearby areas before the meet wraps up on March 7 (8:30 AM) at the Legazpi City Convention Center.
Opening Day: parade, formal rites, and keynote
The opening program begins with an Opening Salvo from Banquerohan National High School, followed by the national anthem, prayers, regional and local hymns/marches, and the acknowledgement of guests.
Welcome messages will be delivered by Baby Boy Benjamin D. Nebres III (SUC President IV, Bicol University) and Danilo E. Despi (Schools Division Superintendent, SDO Legazpi City). Messages are also set from Legazpi City Mayor Hisham B. Ismail, AKB Partylist Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin Jr., and DepEd Regional Office V Regional Director Gilbert T. Sadsad.
The keynote address will be given by Senator Sherwin “Win” Ting Gatchalian, followed by the presentation of delegates led by Regional Sports Officer Francisco Dexter O. Sison.
A major ceremonial highlight is the Lighting of the Friendship Urn, featuring Palarong Pambansa medalists:
- Xian Keith B. Barredo (SDO Iriga City) – Gold, Javelin Throw (2025)
- Joy Jesther R. Palo (SDO Naga City) – Gold, Archery (2025)
- Rose Jane D. Barcelona (SDO Sorsogon) – Gold & Silver, Long Jump – Secondary Girls (2025)
- Philip Anthony Crisponde (SDO Albay) – 3-time Gold, Arnis (2025)
The program also includes the Oath of Amateurism led by Trishia Di Venice P. Lachama (Bronze, Taekwondo, 2025 Palarong Pambansa) and the Oath of Officiating Officials led by Sam Albert Alcera (SDO Tabaco City, National Officiating Official), before the hoisting of banners and the formal opening led by RD Sadsad. A community dance to the Palarong Bicol theme song closes the opening ceremonies.
Where the games will be played
For sports fans and parents tracking athletes across the week, the official venue guide shows games distributed across well-known facilities and school grounds in Legazpi City and nearby Sto. Domingo, Albay.
Some of the major venue assignments include:
- Athletics – Bicol University Sports Complex
- Swimming – Bicol University Swimming Pool
- Archery – Legazpi City Old Airport
- Arnis – Embarcadero Mall Activity Area
- Boxing – Ibalong Park, Puro, Legazpi City
- Chess – Pacific Mall Conference Hall (4th Floor)
- Badminton – BU College of Engineering Gymnasium
- Dancesport – St. Agnes Academy Gymnasium
- Gymnastics (MAG/WAG) – Legazpi City Expo Center
- Gymnastics (Aero/RG) – DENR Covered Court
- Basketball (5×5) Boys – Sagrada Familia Gymnasium
- Basketball (5×5) Girls – DWCL Gymnasium / DENR Covered Court
- Basketball (Elementary) – Brgy. 15 Covered Court
- Basketball (3×3) – Brgy. San Joaquin Covered Court
- Volleyball (Elementary B/G) – Bagumbayan Central School
- Volleyball (Secondary B/G) – STI–Legazpi Covered Court
- Football (Secondary Boys) – BU Sports Complex
- Football (Elementary/Girls) – Commencement Grounds
- Futsal (Secondary) – Legazpi City Science High School
- Futsal (Elementary) – Brgy. Bitano Covered Court
- Pencak Silat – Legazpi City Convention Center
- Taekwondo – Legazpi City Convention Center
- Table Tennis – Pacific Mall Activity Area (Right Wing)
- Tennis (Secondary) – Lignon Hill Tennis Court
- Tennis (Elementary) – Camp Ola Tennis Court / DWCL Tennis Court
- Billiards – SRB Billiard Hall / Legazpi City Sports Center
- Weightlifting – Legazpi City Sports Center
- Wrestling – Gogon Central School Covered Court
- Wushu – Brgy. Dapdap Covered Court
- Sepak Takraw (Secondary Boys) – Puro Integrated School
- Sepak Takraw (Elementary/Girls) – Brgy. Puro Covered Court
- Baseball / Softball – Mayon Riviera Open Fields, Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay
- Bocce – Taysan Elementary School Grounds
- Goal Ball – Brgy. Taysan Covered Court
(Note: the materials provided list the ceremonies and venue assignments; the per-sport, per-day game timetables are usually released separately through technical schedules/brackets.)
Closing Day: awarding, handover to 2027 host
The Closing Program is scheduled for March 7 (8:30 AM) at the Legazpi City Convention Center, featuring a nationalistic song by Jona Joy O. Rosales (Banquerohan National High School), prayer by Arnold A. Reodique (Taysan Resettlement Integrated School), and a message from RD Gilbert T. Sadsad.
The announcement of winners and awarding ceremony will be led by RD Sadsad with DepEd officials Assistant Regional Director Bebiano I. Sentillas, SDS Danilo E. Despi, ESSD Chief Education Supervisor Joan L. Lagata, and Regional Sports Officer Francisco Dexter O. Sison. The program also includes the ceremonial handover for the hosting of the 2027 Palarong Bicol, the lowering of banners, and acknowledgements./BN
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