San Jose, 2 others dominate IP Games Visayas Leg in Antique

ANTIQUE — Cluster 1 of Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and host San Jose de Buenavista dominated the Visayas leg of the 2026 Indigenous Peoples Games, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, at the Binirayan Sports Complex here over the weekend.

Cluster 1 topped four of the 11 indigenous games played in the two-day competition, winning the Kadang sa Kawayan, Kadang sa Paya, Bag-id (Fire Making), and Butungay Kalat.

Cluster 2 of Hamtic and Sibalom took two events—Pukol and Kudkod Ka Niyog—while Cluster 3 of Patnongon and Laua-an ruled two categories—Karera Kang Bao and Palo Sebo.

Also winning were Cluster 4 of San Remigio, Valderrama, and Libertad in Mat Weaving, and Cluster 6 of Culasi in Lisik-Lisik.

More than 300 IPs participated in the annual event organized by the PSC and the Provincial Government of Antique, headed by Gov. Paolo Javier,  and supported by Milo, Pocari Sweat, and Cebuana Lhuillier.

PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston awarded the prizes to the winners during the closing ceremony at the EBJ Gymnasium.

The ceremony was also graced by Marnie Payne, Political Affairs Officer from the Office of Congressman AA Legarda, and Alex Centena, Commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for the Island Groups and the Rest of Visayas.

Sen. Loren Legarda also sent a congratulatoory message i bith the organizers and participants of the annual event.  

Legarda, principal author of the law declaring Aug. 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day, urged both the national and local governments to ensure that IP communities all over the country are protected and respected.

“Ang mga katutubong laro ay hindi lamang mga simpleng palaro o paligsahan. Ang mga ito ay bahagi ng ating kasaysayan, pagkakakilanlan, at kultura. Sa bawat laro, makikita natin ang tibay, disiplina, at pagkakaisa ng ating mga ninuno,” said Legarda in a message read for her by her staff.

The IP Games Antique 2026 served as the final leg of the three-part festivities aimed at preserving their cultural heritage and national identity.

The PSC-supported IP Games were held in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur (Mindanao Leg), from August 21 to 23; Libmanan, Camarines Sur (Luzon Leg), from October 17 to 19; and San Jose, Antique (Visayas Leg).  

Additionally, the IP Games were held in La Paz, Iloilo City, on April 18 to 19. The event was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to a typhoon.

The results:

Pukol
1. Cluster 2 (Hamtic and Sibalom); 2.Cluster 1 (Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and San Jose de Buenavista); Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an)

Mat Weaving
1. Cluster 4 (San Remigio, Valderrama, and Libertad); 2. Cluster 6 (Culasi); 3. Cluster 1 (Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and San Jose de Buenavista)

Karera kang Bao
1.Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an); 2. Cluster 4 (San Remigio, Valderrama, and Libertad);  3. Cluster 2 (Hamtic and Sibalom)

Kudkod ka Niyog
1. Cluster 2 (Hamtic and Sibalom), 2. Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an); 3. Cluster 5 (Barbaza and Tibiao)

Lisik-lisik
1. Cluster 6 (Culasi); 2. Cluster 1 (Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and San Jose de Buenavista); 3. Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an)

Palo Sebo
1. Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an); 2. Cluster 2 (Hamtic and Sibalom); 3. Cluster 6 (Culasi)

Kadang sa Kawayan
1. Cluster 1 (Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and San Jose de Buenavista); 2. Cluster 5 (Barbaza and Tibiao); 3. Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an)

Kadang sa Paya
1. Cluster 1 (Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and San Jose de Buenavista); 2. Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an); 3. Cluster 6 (Culasi)

Bag-id (Fire Making)
1. Cluster 1 (Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and San Jose de Buenavista); 2. Cluster 4 (San Remigio, Valderrama, and Libertad); 3. Cluster 2 (Hamtic and Sibalom)

Butungay Kalat
1. Cluster 1 (Anini-y, Tobias Fornier, and San Jose de Buenavista); 2. Cluster 6 (Culasi); 3.Cluster 5 (Barbaza and Tibiao)

Bayo ka Paray
1. Cluster 2 (Hamtic and Sibalom); 2. Cluster 6 (Culasi); Cluster 3 (Patnongon and Laua-an)