CAMOTES ISLAND, CEBU — Filipino triathlon talent took center stage in Camotes Island as Matthew Justine Hermosa and Anisha Eunice “Ichang” Caluya headlined the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) Series, bringing national attention to one of Cebu’s emerging destinations for endurance sports.
The October 24–25, 2026, event brought together athletes from different age groups and competitive levels for a weekend of swimming, cycling, and running, reinforcing the role of local races in developing the country’s next generation of triathletes.
Hermosa faces a major test on home soil
Hermosa, a 21-year-old triathlete from Talisay City, Cebu, entered the competition with international experience and a strong desire to capture a long-awaited NAGT title.
In a report published by Radyo Pilipinas on October 21, Hermosa said he had prepared through a series of back-to-back races. The two-time Southeast Asian Games mixed-relay team gold medalist was also seeking to end a four-year run of silver finishes in the competition.
His schedule included the elite standard-distance duathlon on October 24 and the sprint-distance triathlon on October 25.
The Camotes race was particularly significant because it marked his first time competing on the island. His campaign also highlighted the competitive depth of Philippine triathlon, where national-team athletes continue to push one another toward higher levels of performance.
Caluya takes the next step in her career
Caluya, meanwhile, entered the women’s elite competition with momentum from her achievements in the junior ranks.
According to Radyo Pilipinas, the 19-year-old athlete from Las Piñas was preparing for her debut in the women’s elite category at the Camotes leg. She had previously won three NAGT junior women’s elite titles across aquathlon, duathlon, and triathlon.
Caluya also placed fourth at the Asia Cup Triathlon New Taipei 2026, an international result she hoped to build on as she faced more experienced competitors.
Beyond racing, she is pursuing a double major in Manufacturing Engineering and Robotics Engineering at De La Salle University. Her transition into elite competition represents another important step in balancing academic responsibilities with the demands of high-level sport.
More than a race: Camotes builds its sports tourism profile
The NAGT Series is also part of a broader effort to promote sports tourism and expand opportunities for young Filipino athletes.
In an August 11 report, the Philippine News Agency announced that the Camotes leg would feature elite, junior elite, youth, Super Trikids, and age-group divisions. The program was designed to provide athletes with competitive experience while helping identify prospects for future national-team development.
Triathlon Philippines has also linked its athlete-development efforts to preparations for the 2027 Southeast Asian Games Plus Youth, which the Philippines is scheduled to host.
The event’s format extended beyond the main triathlon, with a duathlon in Tudela and Poro and an aquathlon at Santiago Bay scheduled for October 24, followed by the main triathlon on October 25.
The weekend therefore offered opportunities for athletes at different stages of development while showcasing Camotes Island’s coastline, roads, and tourism potential.
A bigger opportunity for Philippine triathlon
The spotlight on Hermosa and Caluya reflects a wider story about the growth of Philippine endurance sports: experienced national-team competitors and emerging young athletes need consistent opportunities to test themselves, improve their performance, and prepare for international competition.
For Cebu, hosting a national-level event also brings attention to communities outside the country’s traditional urban sporting centers.
As the sport continues to develop, competitions such as the NAGT can help strengthen the pipeline of Filipino athletes who aspire to represent the country on the international stage.
