This time, only 9 new records were set – seven in swimming and two in athletics. In Iloilo last year, 23 marks were established.

National Capital Region Jasmine Al-Khaldi, whose father is from Saudi Arabia, accounted for four new marks in the pool. The Arab-Filipino also emerged as the most bemedalled athlete with six gold medals in the week-long event that concluded here yesterday.

Al-Khaldi first stamped her class in the 4x50m medley relay with Dorothy Grace Hong, Rory Tapang and Ma. Kimberly Go before ripping the 100m freestyle mark.

The charming Parañaque swimmer also ruled the 100m butterfly and combined with teammates Ingrid Ilustre, Judith Cruz and Hong to win the 4x100m medley relay.

Hong was responsible for the new records in the 50m and 100m backstroke, while Northern Mindanao’s Joshua Acain was credited for the latest mark in the 50m breaststroke.

Calabarzon’s Nina Malinao and Central Visayas’ Jorge Pinanonang (400m hurdles) also produced record-breaking performances in the elementary javelin throw and secondary 400m hurdles, respectively.

NCR underscored its status as the country’s No. 1 sporting region by ruling both the elementary and high school divisions.

Aside from the typhoon, the event was also tainted by alleged age-cheating in some events.

DepEd officials are also expected to further strengthen their implementing guidelines on age limits and investigate the protests filed by some parents of the NCR baseball team, who questioned two players from Eastern Visayas.