ZAMBALES participants in various competitions recently brought home victory and honor to the province by shining in prestigious contests in the country. These include the following:

• Panagkakadua-An Festival Float from San Felipe, Zambales, which won Second Place in the Aliwan Fiesta 2024 Float Competition.

• Angel Otom, a multi-award-winning member of the Philippine Paralympic Team from Brgy. Del Pilar, Castillejos, Zambales. Born without arms, the 20-year old swimmer was a quadruple-gold medalist in the 12^th ASEAN Para Games held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, reaping gold in the women’s 50 backstroke S5, 50 butterfly S5, 50 freestyle S5, and 200 individual medley SM5. Following this, she also won gold and silver medals at the 2024 Citi Para Swimming World Series in Singapore.

• Charlie Cook, brought home the Mister Runaway Model Universe Philippines 2024 during the Mister International Philippines 2024 tilt.

• Christal Jean dela Cruz, a 19-years-old student from Olongapo City represented Zambales in the 2024 Binibining Pilipinas contest and emerged First Runner-Up in the competition. She also took home the Binibini Ever Bilena, Binibini Creamsilk, Binibini Pizza Hut, and Binibini Beautederm special awards. Christal Jean was also Miss Olongapo in 2022, Miss Zambales in 2023, and Supermodel International Philippines in 2023.

• John Renjie Merin, a midshipman lieutenant commander from Sta. Cruz, Zambales, was ranked 5^th among the cadets taking up Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering in the “Mandagayan” Class of 2024 at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, San Narciso, Zambales. 