CARAA Meet 2025 opens: Over 3,000 Cordillera athletes compete to bring home the gold

Benguet, Philippines – The selection of athletes to represent the Cordillera delegation for the 2025 Palarong Pambansa has begun through the opening of this year’s Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet in La Trinidad, Benguet on February 23.

The event, which is the biggest sporting activity in the Cordillera region, commenced with the parade of over 6,000 participating athletes, coaches, trainers, and technical officials at the Benguet Sports Complex, filling the venue with shades of red, green, blue, and yellow.

3,774 of the number are the players representing the Abra Mighty Weavers, Apayao Eagles, Baguio E-Lions, Ifugao Builders, Kalinga Bulls, Mountain Province Mabikas Mountaineers, Benguet Stringers, and the Tabuk City Coffee Roasters. 

These 3,774 will be competing against one another in 26 sporting events until February 28.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, in his message during the opening ceremony, challenged the different delegates to show that Cordillerans do not just compete, they climb and conquer.

“We are not just playing for gold, we are playing for something bigger. I challenge each of you to compete fearlessly but fairly. Win with humility and lose with dignity. Honor your school, honor your province, honor your Cordillera roots,” Angara urged.

Medalists in the CARAA Meet 2025 will be joining the ‘Fearless Highlanders’ in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa slated in May in Ilocos Norte.