BUTUAN CITY, May 25 -- The 2026 Palarong Pambansa opened Sunday night in Agusan del Sur, fulfilling a decades-long dream of provincial leaders and residents to bring the country's biggest scholastic sports event to their home soil.

Governor Santiago Cane Jr. welcomed more than 14,000 athletes, coaches, officials, and guests at the Provincial Sports Complex in Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, calling the hosting "the tomorrow the people of Agusan del Sur dreamed about 33 years ago."

The ceremony was attended by Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo and Education Secretary Sonny Angara, underscoring national support for the weeklong games.

Cane traced the province's journey to the late Democrito Plaza, former congressman and ...