IBA, Zambales—Nestor Padua, a skinny but technically sound 12-year-old, debuted in style and clinched one of three early gold medals staked in Day One yesterday of the 2012 Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) at the refurbished Zambales Sports Complex in Iba.

Representing San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Padua booked an impeccable throw for his age of 42.09 meters to handily win the gold medal in the elementary boys’ javelin.

“First time ko pong sumali rito at hindi ko naman inasahang ganito ang ibabato ko. Ang dati kong best ay nasa 28 meters sa district meet,” said Padua, whose parents are both farmers and a fourth-grader at San Agustin Elementary School.

Mark Juan from Tarlac Province and Elias Clares from Bulacan recorded 36.83m and 36.35m to settle for the silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the meet held for the first time after 18 years by Zambales because of the all-out support of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and his son, newly-elected Second District Rep. Jun Omar Ebdane.

“Sa pagdaraos ng 2012 CLRAA Meet sa lalawigan ng Zambales, naipakita natin na walang imposible. Mula sa malaking lupain na hindi napapakinabangan, andito ngayon  at nagkakasama-sama upang maipakita ang kanilang talento sa palakasan ang mga batang atleta na maaaring pagmulan ng isang Olympic gold medalist ng bansa,” said Ebdane in Sunday’s colorful opening ceremonies staged at the P100-million sports complex.

Padua’s performance not only landed him a spot on the Region III team to the Palarong Pambansa this summer in Pangasinan, but also took home a P10,000 incentive San Jose Mayor Marivic Belena will be giving to all gold medal winners from the delegation.

“Malaking tulong po ito sa amin at ibibigay ko sa aking mga magulang,” added Padua, the youngest of seven siblings, who needed to stop schooling for the last two years due to financial problems.

Aira Collaine Tiburcio from Tarlac City (8.12m) and Jackielyn Alviar from Munoz City (4.83m) ruled the elementary girls shotput and secondary girls long jump

Action in ball games also opened yesterday with Zambales unleashing its mean form with a 21-0 shutout of Malolos (Bulacan) in the elementary girls softball.