CAGAYAN de Oro City — Two young cousins from Tangub City topped their respective divisions at the 2026 Zamboanga City Hermosa Sports Festival Invitational Swimming Competition, with one of them facing financial barriers to competing in the national championships. 

Hera Raagas Suerte, 13, and Reign Raagas Sumaban, 7, earned Most Outstanding Swimmer honors at the Oct. 10–11 meet at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex. 

Both represented the TFD Tangub Falcon Divers. 

Suerte collected nine medals in the Girls 14–15 division, winning eight golds and one silver. 

Her gold-medal events were the 200-meter individual medley, 100-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter backstroke, 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter freestyle and 200-meter freestyle. She took silver in the 50-meter breaststroke. 

Under Philippine Aquatics Inc. age-of-reckoning rules, Suerte competed in the division ahead of her 14th birthday in November. 

Sumaban swept the Boys 7-and-Under division, winning gold in the 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter breaststroke and 50-meter freestyle. 

Travel costs limit national meet opportunity 

Despite her success, Suerte will miss the upcoming Philippine Aquatics Inc. national championships in Tarlac because her family cannot cover the travel expenses. 

Her mother, Rhea Jane R. Suerte, said the cost of transportation, accommodation, registration and training remains a major challenge for swimmers from Mindanao who want to compete outside the region. 

“Swimming requires continuous investment in training, equipment, competition fees, and travel,” she said. “For families in Mindanao, distance makes competitions even more expensive, so we sometimes have to choose opportunities carefully while doing our best to support our children’s dreams.” 

Hera said financial assistance could help young athletes participate in more competitions and show their abilities. 

“Many young athletes have the talent and determination, but they need opportunities to show what they can achieve,” she said. 

Balancing school and swimming 

Suerte also maintains her academic performance while training regularly. 

A former elementary valedictorian, she finished Grade 7 at Tangub City National High School with Highest Honors and qualified as a Regional Schools Press Conference journalist.

She previously set an event record in the 100-meter butterfly at the Asian Open Schools Invitational Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2026. 

Hera said she trains from 5 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. and returns to the pool after classes with the Tangub Falcon Divers. 

“My teachers help me catch up on missed lessons, while Coach Digoy teaches me discipline and commitment,” she said. 

She added that the Zamboanga competition tested her consistency across several races. 

“Every race challenged me in a different way, but I’m proud that I stayed focused and gave my best throughout the meet,” she said. 

Her mother hopes Hera's achievements will encourage more support for young athletes from smaller communities in Mindanao. 

“I hope her journey inspires others to believe in our young athletes from Mindanao because talent deserves the opportunity to shine,” she said. 

Hera, meanwhile, hopes to represent the Philippines in international competitions, including the ASEAN Games. 

“For now, I will keep improving one training session and one race at a time with faith and gratitude,” she said.