DAPITAN — Western Visayas added four gold and three silver medals in athletics  on Wednesday in the 2011Palarong Pambansa at the Rizal Memorial State University  Sports Complex.

Rie Veneth Jayed Penarubia, one of 50 athletes from Iloilo, sparked WV’s assault  by ruling the 400-meter hurdles secondary girls in 1:05.43.

Other winners for WV were Jasmin Tayco long jump elementary girls (4.79 meters),  Rofrey Gilug 400m hurdles elementary boys (1:01.64),and Niel Castellano 400m  hurdles elementary girls (1:08.86).

The silver medalists were Cherry Ann Patricio in javelin elementary girls behind  Jovelyn Naotario of Cagayan Valley, Gerald Glen Morales in the 400m hurdles  secondary boys, and Daisyry Juanillo in the 400m hurdles secondary girls.

Western Visayas has so far won eight gold medals at the oval with Gerald Layumas  accounting for two in long jump and triple jump. WV also has five silvers and  one bronze.

Western Visayas has topped athletics in the previous staging in Tarlac and  Tacloban.

“Kukunin naming ang overall sa athletics dahil pinaghandaan naming ito,” said  Sean Guevarra, a former national athlete and national coach from Iloilo.

Swimming remained in National Capital Region’s stronghold. NCR has won eight  gold medals, six silvers and four bronzes.

The Big City tankers also set a new meet record in the 200m medley relay  elementary boys behind the quartet of Mark Joseph Rominquit, Abdulrahim Nooh,  Andrae Miguel Pogiongko and Alnair Guevarra.

Southern Tagalog has seven golds in swimming while Region I, Western Visayas and  Region X have one gold apiece.

NCR won the gold in elementary boys’ badminton at the expense of Southern  Tagalog.

The Big City athletes, however, suffered a second day shutout in athletics.

NCR managed only one silver by Paula Mae  Bardaje in the 400m elementary girls  and two  bronzes by Arman Reiner Mahigab in the 400m hurdles elementary boys and  Rowena Chua 400m hurdles secondary girls.

Romeo Jalosjos, head of the organizing g committee, handed cash gifts to  physically handicapped athletes after watching the swimming events.

In elementary boys basketball, Western Visayas beat Central Visayas, 68-59;  Central Luzon whipped CAR, 57-52; and Davao edged Ilocos Region, 49-45.