2025 PRISAA Games gets underway

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines — First-time host Tuguegarao City made the most of welcoming the athletes of the 2025 National PRISAA (Private Schools Athletic Association) Games on Saturday night.Over 8,000 delegates from 17 regions trooped the Cagayan Sports Complex and witnessed the performance of the locals. The opening day included 8,000 students from Cagayan, who staged a dance mob in the opening day. Tuguegarao City mayor Maila Rose Tin-Que expressed her excitement in the upcoming games that will run from April 7-11. "This is our way to give back to the Filipino people. We will never forget where the Filipinos stood behind us when we experience a strong typhoon. This day, in front of everyone, accept this warm welcome of Tuguegarao and Cagayan people. This is our way to show our gratitude," she said in her opening speech. "Events like this are not only for competition, but for growth," she added. Tuguegarao was supposed to host the games in 2016 and 2020, but typhoon Lawin struck the city and the pandemic happened during those respective years. A total of 22 sporting events will be held across different venues in Tuguegarao. Medal-rich events: athletics and swimming will be at Cagayan State University and Cagayan Sports Complex. As first-time host, Tuguegarao City looks to rack up medals in the athletics event. The supposed one-hour welcoming event transpired to three hours. The event ended with a fireworks display.