After six days of spirited competition, cultural exchange, and regional camaraderie, Isabela City officially closed the curtain on the 22nd Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA) Meet on April 11, marking what many described as a historic and deeply meaningful hosting for Basilan.
From April 6 to 11, thousands of athletes, coaches, and officials from across Region IX converged in the city, transforming venues into arenas of excellence, resilience, and unity. More than just a sporting event, ZPRAA 2026 became a powerful platform for Isabela City to showcase its progress, hospitality, and proven capacity to host a large-scale regional gathering—its first in over two decades—while helping reshape and challenge long-held negative perceptions about Basilan, highlighting instead a community defined by resilience, peace, and promise.
The closing ceremony carried both pride and poignancy. A standout moment was the keynote address of Gretchen Ho, whose message resonated strongly with the young athletes. Drawing from her journey as a former national volleyball player and now a respected broadcaster, Ho emphasized discipline, perseverance, and purpose beyond medals—reminding participants that character is the true mark of a champion.
“Kung nagkamali man kayo o uuwi man kayo na hindi ninyo nakuha ang mga pinapangarap ninyo, okay lang magmukmok. Bigyan ninyo ang inyong sarili ng isang gabi—at pagkatapos, bukas, dalhin ninyo ang mga aral at bumangon muli.”
The program also honored the achievements of the region’s top-performing delegations through the awarding of special recognitions and overall winners, celebrating not only athletic excellence but also sportsmanship and teamwork.
Equally significant was the symbolic turnover of hosting duties for the next ZPRAA Meet. Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman formally handed over the responsibility to Dipolog City, with Zamboanga del Norte Governor Darel Dexter Uy through his representative, delivering the message of acceptance. The transition underscored the continuity of regional unity and the shared commitment to youth development through sports.
In her closing remarks, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman expressed heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders—athletes, organizers, volunteers, and partner agencies—whose collective effort ensured the success of the event. She shared that beyond this milestone, the city also looks forward to holding a “pasasalamat” for everyone who played a role in bringing ZPRAA 2026 to life.
Reflecting on the journey, the Mayor recounted how the idea of hosting once seemed unlikely. “Nagsimula ito bilang joke, hanggang sa naging pangarap at naging posibilidad,” she said, acknowledging Dr. Arnel Hajan, DepEd Isabela City’s Sports Coordinator, as among the first who believed that the city could take on the challenge.
She then left the athletes with a message meant to endure beyond the games: “Sana dala ninyo ang kwento ng Isabela sa inyong pag-uwi at sana maging inspirasyon ito sa inyo. Kahit ilang beses kayo mapag-iwanan, kahit ilang beses matalo, at kahit sino ang magsasabi sa inyo na ‘di ninyo kaya—huwag kayo maniniwala, lalo na kapag ang nagsasabi nito ay ang sarili ninyo.”
Drawing from the city’s own experience, she added, “Tingnan ninyo ang kwento ng Isabela. Sa kabila ng lahat ng hirap at pagdududa, bumangon kami at lumaban—and now, Alhamdulillah, may napatunayan kami.”
The ceremony was also graced by distinguished guests, including Princess Jacel Kiram, president of the Philippine Pencak Silat Sports Association, Inc., Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman, Isabela City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ma. Laarni Villanueva; Dr. Arnel Hajan, DepEd Isabela City Sports Coordinator, Basilan District 1 Board Member Ahmed Ibn Djaliv Hataman; and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod—Councilors Al-Ameen Camlian, Jeromy Jay Casas, Yusop Abubakar and SK Federation president Naila Belleng, along with barangay officials whose presence underscored the strong support of local leadership and stakeholders in the success of ZPRAA 2026.
As the ZPRAA banner was lowered and the friendship cauldron extinguished, the atmosphere was filled with both celebration and reflection. For Isabela City and the Province of Basilan, hosting ZPRAA 2026 was more than an event—it was a statement.
A statement that Isabela City is ready. A statement that Basilan is no longer defined by its past. A statement that its people are united. And a statement that, indeed, even before the final medal tally, every Isabeleño and every Basileño had already won. (Words by MA Lim/Photos by KJ Evardo, IsaTV)
