INDANG—Rizal Technological University’s Macaila Jane Requierme emerged as the most decorated athlete in athletics after leading a team of Army cadets to two victories in the women’s relay events at the conclusion of the 2024 Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games National Championships at the Cavite State University (CvSU) track oval.
The 20-year-old Requierme, along with Rackel Batoy, Bernadeth Batoy, and Airish Dag-um, displayed remarkable consistency to win the women’s 4×100-meter relay in 52.6 seconds. Less than a minute later, they returned to the track to dominate the 4×400-meter relay with a time of 4:17.3.
Requierme’s exceptional performance propelled her to the top of the leaderboard with three gold medals and a bronze medal. The second-year Bachelor’s in Physical Education student from RTU-Boni Campus earlier secured the women’s long jump title with a leap of 5.27 meters and finished third in the 200-meter run.
“I poured my heart and soul into this ROTC competition,” said Requierme. “Despite an ankle injury, I managed to recover and give it my all. I’m determined to train even harder for next year’s games.”
Air Force cadet Jhed Rome Ojeno led his team to victory in the men’s 4×100-meter relay, clocking a time of 44.4 seconds. They also dominated the men’s 4×400-meter relay in 3:32.9.
Ojeno, from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, concluded his campaign with two gold medals and two silver medals in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter run.
Army cadet Joven Panisa Makilan of Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias in Negros Occidental won the men’s 800-meter run but finished second in the 1,500-meter run.
“I’m satisfied with my performance in the ROTC Games,” said the 20-year-old second-year Criminology student. “I’m looking forward to continuing my success.”
In the combat sports events held at the Tagaytay City Combat Sports Center, Army cadet Jocelyn Ayangwa of the University of Baguio claimed the gold medal in the women’s bantamweight class, defeating Marey Grace Lumangaya of Capiz State University.
Army cadet Rolando P. Evangelista of Jose Rizal Memorial State University also won the men’s bantamweight title, defeating Navy’s Roland Medes.
Another Army cadet, Nicodemes Gilbert Vere Jr., from North West Samar State University, emerged victorious in the featherweight division, defeating Navy’s Ronie L. Gonzales. In the lightweight bout, Army cadet Carlo Espinosa of La Concepcion College triumphed over fellow Army man Juneire Sangalang of Tarlac State University.
Navy cadet Benie Tabaco-an of the University of Antique secured the gold medal in the light welterweight division, defeating Army cadet Raffy Chagsan of the University of Baguio.
In the sepak-takraw competition at the Sigluna Hall of TICC in Tagaytay City, Air Force cadets from the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City won the men’s doubles event, defeating Army cadets from Rizal Memorial Colleges of Davao City. Iloilo Science and Technology and Rizal Technological University-Boni Campus finished with bronze medals.
