Northern Samar found fresh reason for pride as two of its own, Cer Gio Gorpido and John Raymond Vargas, stood atop the podium after helping the Philippines secure the gold medal in baseball at the recently-concluded 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
The victory marked a defining moment for the homegrown athletes from Pambujan, whose journey from local sandlots to international competition reflects years of persistence, discipline, and quiet dedication to the sport.
Gorpido and Vargas recently returned to the province following the SEA Games, where they paid a courtesy visit to the Provincial Government on December 26, 2025.
Accompanied by their longtime coach Mario Cerda Jr. and Engr. Lino Balanquit, a former Pambujan mayor and one of Nalucaban’s well-known baseball figures, the visit underscored how deeply rooted baseball culture remains in their hometown.
For many young players in Northern Samar, their success stands as proof that world-class athletes can emerge from the province.
Both players have steadily built their careers through years of competitive play.
Vargas, an internationally awarded baseball player, has been a member of the Philippine nationalteam since 2021.
He previously won the East Asia Baseball Cup in Thailand in 2023 and followed it up with another title at the East Asia Baseball Cup–Philippines in 2024.
At the collegiate level, he suited up for the University of Santo Tomas, competing in UAAP Seasons 85 and 86, where he further honed his skills against the country’s top university teams.
Gorpido’s path mirrors the same commitment.
A baseball varsity scholar of National University since high school, he also competed in UAAP Seasons 85 and 86, gaining valuable experience that prepared him for international play.
Like Vargas, he is currently part of the Philippine Baseball Team, contributing to a growing roster of Filipino athletes gaining recognition in the regional baseball scene.
Their SEA Games gold medal is not viewed as an endpoint but as another chapter in a continuing journey.
Both athletes are slated to represent the country in the Asian Games in September 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, a stage that will test their abilities against some of Asia’s strongest baseball programs.
While the province has acknowledged their achievement through official commendations and incentives, the greater impact of Gorpido and Vargas’s victory lies beyond ceremonies.
Their story resonates most strongly in Pambujan and across Northern Samar, where aspiring athletes now see a clearer path from local fields to international arenas, guided by talent, perseverance, and belief in themselves.
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