Golden Victory After Years of Perseverance
Sixteen-year-old Faith Marie V. Ocon of Calinan National High School finally achieved her long-awaited dream on Saturday, November 15, capturing her first-ever gold medal at the Davao City Athletic Association (Dcaa) Meet 2025. Her triumphant performance in the 3,000-meter race not only marked a personal milestone but also secured the very first gold medal of the weeklong athletic competition held at the Davao City-UP Mindanao Sports Complex.
A Commanding Performance
Ocon delivered an impressive run, crossing the finish line with a time of 11 minutes and 41.59 seconds to claim the top podium spot. The young athlete faced strong competition from Rhianna Mae C. Manacap, who took silver with a time of 11:45.65, while Julia Gene N. Embac earned bronze after completing the race in 12:24.71.
In an emotional interview with SunStar Davao via Messenger, Ocon expressed her overwhelming joy and gratitude. "I didn't expect it, but I was really hoping to snatch the gold medal to give justice to all the training and support I received from my grandpa Toto, my parents, teammates, and friends," the emotional champion shared.
Family Support and Future Goals
The victory holds special significance for Ocon, who comes from a family deeply connected to athletics. Her parents, Jay Ann and former middle-distance specialist Philip, have been constant pillars of support throughout her running journey. Her grandfather, who also serves as her coach, received special recognition in her victory dedication.
Ocon's path to gold hasn't been easy. Having started competing at age eight before taking a pandemic-induced break, she previously experienced several near-misses at the Dcaa Meet. In her first year, she secured bronze in the 400-meter run, followed by silver in the 1,500-meter and bronze in the 800-meter during her second year—always falling just short of the top prize until this breakthrough performance.
With her first gold medal secured, the determined young athlete now sets her sights on additional events. Ocon will next compete in the 1,500-meter and 800-meter races, hoping to add more medals to her growing collection and continue her successful run at the competition.
Meeting Momentum Builds
Ocon's golden performance set a positive tone for the entire athletic meet. Shortly after her victory, Rafael Angelou G. Albores of Unit 3 claimed gold in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:17.56. Jomar M. Pugo of Unit 1 followed with silver (1:23.79), while Eufracio III A. Lancian of Unit 3 took bronze (1:29.29), demonstrating the high level of competition throughout the event.
The Davao City Athletic Association Meet serves as the city elimination round for the regional athletic competition, making Ocon's victory not just a personal achievement but also a significant step toward representing her city at higher competitive levels.
