Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
The College of Agriculture’s Aggie Bulls successfully defended their throne, emerging as the overall champion of the Central Mindanao University (CMU) Palaro 2026.
The team tallied 348.765 points and collected a total of 441 medals to seal their second consecutive victory.
During an interview, College of Agriculture Student Council Chairperson Jetrice Lesuzest L. Tanguihan admitted that the emotional weight of the victory brought her to tears. Between the relief of the win and the exhaustion of the journey, she noted that the realization of their success made every sacrifice feel justified.
“I already got teary-eyed because I felt that all the efforts paid off and all the risk was worth it,” Tanguihan shared. “I felt pressured because, as a chairperson, I did not want during my term that the team would not get the championship.”
The path to the title was filled with tension, especially as the council closely monitored the live updates. When the Palaro site first opened, the team was noticeably absent from the top three, causing the leadership to “freak out” in confusion. Tanguihan explained that while their internal checks showed players consistently winning gold or placing in the top three, the official leaderboard initially showed a different team was in the lead.
This anxiety was further compounded by significant financial constraints that the council had to navigate. During these periods of uncertainty, she found a vital source of support in her adviser and college sports coordinator, Dr. Arth David Sol Ortega, who provided comfort and reminded her that the players were giving their absolute best.
The tide eventually turned as more results poured in. Although they finally seized the lead, the gap remained dangerously narrow until the scores for swimming, arnis, and mega crew were officially tallied. For Tanguihan, seeing that hard-fought lead hold firm proved that every risk and sleepless night was worth the reward.
Meanwhile, the Mighty Orcas, composed of the Colleges of Education, Forestry and Environmental Science, and Veterinary Medicine, placed first runner-up with 261.49 points and 336 medals.
The Striking Sphinx of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Human Ecology, and Nursing secured second runner-up honors with 196.36 points and 333 medals.
In addition, the Wildcats of the Colleges of Engineering and Information Sciences and Computing placed third runner-up with 161.66 points and 275 medals, while the College of Business Management (CBM) Eagles completed the standings with 128.58 points and 210 medals.
From March 23–27, CMU Palaro 2026 honored its theme, “Collective Identity in Motion: Unity through Culture and Action,” by pairing intense sports with a diverse cultural program. Highlights included musical nights dedicated to Indigenous Peoples and athlete stories, the inaugural Megacrew Hip-hop competition, and Laro ng Lahi, demonstrating that excellence at the games is defined by a balance of talent, tradition, and collective identity. [Johnica Chantal G. Montero]
