LAOAG CITY – Calabarzon's Andrey Aquino was on cloud nine Wednesday after securing his second gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa athletics competition at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Memorial Stadium here.

The 12-year-old from Teresa, Rizal dominated the elementary boys' high jump in 1.68 meters while his teammate, Datu Mark Urbano, registered 1.60m for the bronze medal.

Caraga's Jhade Singatao of Agusan del Sur bagged the silver medal in 1.65m.

"Very happy, it's my first time to join the Palaro and I can't believe that I already won two golds," Aquino, a graduate of Bagumbayan Elementary School, said.

His first gold medal came from the 110m Hurdles on Monday, clocking 16.62 seconds to beat Soccsksargen's Keian Angelo Penaso of Kidapawan City (16.67) and Central Luzon's Prince Jaren Fajardo of Pampanga (17.45).

Aquino, who started in athletics in 2023, still has two more events, the 4x400m relay on Thursday and 4x100m relay on Friday.

"Hopefully, I can win my last two events. I will do my best," the youngest among four siblings said.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region remained on top of the medal tally board with 52 golds, 26 silvers and 16 bronzes, as of 4 p.m.

Calabarzon ranked second with 24 golds, 35 silvers and 19 bronzes followed by Western Visayas (16-19-16), Northern Mindanao (16-13-21), Central Visayas (8-10-13), Davao (8-9-10), Caraga (8-6-13), Central Luzon (7-8-14), CAR (7-8-2) and Bicol (5-4-15). (PNA)