BY ALDRIN QUINTO

PUERTO PRINCESA. — Western Visayas started its campaign on a high note, winning two of the first three gold medals up for grabs in the Palarong Pambansa Monday at the Ramon Mitra Jr. Sports Complex here.

Javelin throwers Ralph Gesulgon and Sharmaine Joy Bucaling reigned supreme under the searing summer sun, topping the boys’ and girls’ high school divisions.

Gesulgon threw the spear to a distance of 49.59-m on his third attempt, enough to clinch the gold over Cagayan Valley’s John Paul Chinyuna who registered 48.22-m for the silver and Northern Mindanao bet Banjo Samson’s 47.47-m effort.

After finishing a dismal ninth in the grade school division two years ago and failing to qualify for last year’s Palaro in Koronadal, South Cotabato, Gesulgon came up big this time.

"Practice lang. Hindi kasi ako nakasama last year, hindi naka-pasok sa regionals," said the muscular 15-year-old son of a fish vendor and a housewife, who also sees action in the high jump Thursday.

Bucaling won the girls’ javelin with a throw of 33.95-m, beating Richelda Pepito of Miraropa who registered 32.09-m to bag the silver medal and Bicol’s Jancell Candelaria, who leapt 31.86-m for the bronze.

A silver medalist in Naga in 2006 and bronze winner last year, Bucaling wanted another podium spot this time and there was no other place for her but the top step.

"Gusto ko kasi talagang makapag-college. Marine engineering sana para matulungan ko ang pamilya ko, kung sakali makapag-abroad," said Bucaling, who turned 18 just last April 11.

Michael Calayo lived up to his name by topping the long jump event for high school boys. The 5-foot-6 Calayo retained the title he won last year with a 6.98-m leap on his fourth try, beating Calabarzon’s Ariel Magayon, who came up with 6.65-m and Davao’s Ramjay Carado, who registered 6.47-m.

Looking to secure a collegiate athletic scholarship, Calayo said he trained hard for the national meet for school-based-athletes, improving big on the 6.60-m jump that won him last year’s gold.

"Sana makapasok ako sa national team, kaya pinagsisikapan ko talagang mag-improve pa," said Calayo, who is hoping to take up Physical Education at Far Eastern University.

Three gold medals in athletics were being contested at press time.

Defending overall champion National Capital Region clobbered ARMM 91-39 in secondary basketball and whipped Cagayan Valley 11-1 in girls’ softball.