Under the blazing Palawan sun, Quendy Fernandez delivered yet another stellar performance, securing her fourth gold medal in the swimming events of the 11th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

The 19-year-old local favorite dominated the girls’ 100m backstroke, clocking an impressive 1:07.21, leaving her competitors trailing. Lora Micah Amoguis of PH Team A finished with silver at 1:10.53, while Jann Maureen Doton of Team B secured bronze with 1:18.42.

“It’s an incredible experience competing in my hometown, where I learned to swim as a kid,” said Fernandez, a second-year student at UP Diliman and UAAP Season 86 Individual Sports’ Athlete of the Year. “Seeing familiar faces cheering for me gives me so much energy. I’m motivated to bring home more medals.”

Fernandez’s victories include three additional golds in the 4×50 girls’ 200m medley and freestyle relays and the 50m backstroke, alongside a silver in the 4×100 freestyle event.

Meanwhile, Philip Sahagun of PH Team A added to the Philippines’ medal tally, grabbing his third gold in the boys’ 100m backstroke with a time of 1:00.82. He aims for more wins in the 200m backstroke and the 4×100 medley relay.

The day also saw achievements in other sports:

• In archery, Utada Lorica and Craig Gimongala took silver in the mixed compound division, while the Philippines bagged silver and bronze in the recurve category.
• In athletics, Milchay Moreno claimed gold in the women’s 400m with a time of 1:00.41, with teammates securing podium finishes in various events.

As the games progress, Fernandez, Sahagun, and their teammates continue to showcase Filipino excellence, aiming to bring home even more medals for their country.