07/03/2026
PEOPLE: SILAI Champions Shine at EVRAA 2026: 4 Medals, 2 Stories of Triumph
Summit Integrated Learning Academy athletes capture gold and silver in para-swimming and bronze in gymnastics, bringing pride to Tacloban City Division at Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet
The Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet 2026 at Visayas State University Gymnasium in Baybay City witnessed extraordinary athletic achievement when two young champions from Summit Integrated Learning Academy (SILAI) stepped into competition and delivered medals for their school and city. Ryssa Aletheia G. Picache claimed gold and silver in para-swimming, while Andee Lian Valenton earned bronze in women's artistic gymnastics, proving that discipline, courage, and dedicated training forge champions.
These victories represent more than athletic success—they embody SILAI's unwavering mission to develop "champions for life" who demonstrate resilience, excellence, and the transformative power of perseverance.
Ryssa Aletheia G. Picache: Three Medals, Unstoppable Determination
Para-Swimming Dominance: Gold and Silver Shine for SILAI
The pool became Ryssa Aletheia G. Picache's stage, and she commanded it with the composure and skill of a true champion. Representing the Tacloban Phoenix in the Para-Swimming category, the young athlete delivered a medal haul that announced her arrival as a formidable competitor.
🥇 GOLD – 50M Freestyle (Para-Swimming, Elementary Girls)
🥈 SILVER – 50M Backstroke (Para-Swimming, Elementary Girls)
🥈 SILVER – 50M Breaststroke (Para-Swimming, Elementary Girls)
Three medals across three different strokes—a testament to Ryssa's versatility, technical proficiency, and mental toughness. In the 50-meter freestyle, she touched the wall first, delivering the gold medal that anchored her performance. In both backstroke and breaststroke, she demonstrated consistency and skill, earning silver medals that underscored her depth as a swimmer.
The Discipline Behind the Victory
"Behind every stroke was discipline," Summit Integrated Learning Academy's community statement proclaimed. "Behind every finish was sacrifice. And behind this success is a young athlete who never gave up."
These weren't ceremonial words—they reflected the lived reality of a young competitor who understood that excellence is built through relentless preparation and unwavering commitment.
Teacher Rob, Ryssa's dedicated coach, has been instrumental in shaping her athletic development. Through meticulous training protocols, technical refinement, and personalized coaching, he guided Ryssa through the demanding preparation required for regional competition.
"Teacher Rob guided and mentored her every step of the way," the school noted, acknowledging the crucial relationship between coach and athlete. Every drill, every correction, every moment of feedback was designed to prepare Ryssa for this exact moment—when she would represent her school, her city, and herself on a regional stage.
Equally essential has been Teacher Jenny's constant encouragement and emotional support. "Teacher Jenny was a caring and constant support throughout the competition," SILAI emphasized. In athletics, the presence of educators who believe fiercely in a student's potential often makes the difference between ordinary performance and extraordinary achievement.
Aligning with SILAI's Vision
Ryssa's triumph directly reflects Summit Integrated Learning Academy's core mission. Dr. Conrada C. Apan, School Director, has written: "Our commitment to inclusive education means that every child—whether in Pre-Elementary or Grade 6—receives differentiated instruction tailored to their learning needs and abilities." This commitment extends beyond academics into athletic development.
Para-Swimming as a competitive category exemplifies modern, inclusive approaches to athletic excellence. Ryssa's success in this arena demonstrates that physical challenges need not limit athletic achievement. With proper coaching, dedicated training, and supportive community, extraordinary accomplishments become possible.
Dr. Reynaldo B. Garnace, School President, articulated the deeper meaning of Ryssa's achievement: "We dream that every child who passes through Summit ILA will know they are valued, capable, and called to make a difference." Ryssa embodies this dream—she is valued for her dedication, capable of extraordinary athletic performance, and called to inspire others through her example.
Recognition from Community Partners
The EVRAA Meet organizers recognized the quality of SILAI's athletic program and the caliber of competitors the school has developed. Ryssa's medal performances contributed significantly to Tacloban City Division's overall athletic standing at the regional competition.
"Ryssa, you did not just win medals—you inspired us," her school community celebrated. "You reminded us that strength comes from dedication, and greatness grows from hard work. We are deeply proud of you!"
The Broader Significance
Ryssa's three medals arrive at a pivotal moment in SILAI's institutional growth. The school recently earned DepEd Government Recognition for Kindergarten to Grade 6 Elementary Education (Certificate No. 09, Series of 2025). As the institution prepares for high school expansion, stories like Ryssa's demonstrate that SILAI's commitment to excellence extends across all domains—academic, artistic, athletic, and moral.
The school's Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Juanito C. Hingpis, has consistently emphasized holistic student development. This commitment manifests in athletic programs that are coached with expertise, supported with care, and celebrated with genuine pride.
Andee Lian Valenton: Bronze Medal Glory in Women's Artistic Gymnastics
Gymnastics Excellence: SILAI Athlete Earns Bronze on the Floor Exercise
While Ryssa commanded the pool, another SILAI athlete took to the gymnastics floor at the EVRAA Meet 2026 with equal courage and determination. Andee Lian Valenton delivered a bronze medal performance in Women's Artistic Gymnastics – Floor Exercises (Cluster 2), representing the precision, artistry, and athletic excellence that define elite gymnastics competition.
🥉BRONZE – Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Floor Exercises (Cluster 2)
Andee's bronze medal on the floor exercise speaks to the technical difficulty, artistic expression, and mental fortitude required in artistic gymnastics. The floor exercise demands that athletes combine strength, flexibility, balance, and spatial awareness while executing complex tumbling sequences and artistic elements with grace and precision.
Courage, Discipline, and Heart
As Andee stepped onto the gymnasium floor, her school community's words resonated with power and purpose: "Every flip reflects your discipline, every landing shows your strength, and every routine reveals your heart."
This philosophical framework captures the essence of what athletic excellence means at Summit Integrated Learning Academy. Every element of a gymnastics routine represents the convergence of physical training, mental preparation, and emotional courage. Andee embodied this convergence.
"Trust your training. Own the moment. Soar with confidence," her school had urged before competition. "And whatever happens, know this: you are already our champion."
At the EVRAA Meet, Andee did exactly that. She trusted her preparation, owned her performance, and delivered a routine that combined technical skill with artistic expression. Her bronze medal is tangible evidence of this commitment.
Family Support and Community Belief
Behind every athlete stands a support system. For Andee, Mommy Noreen has been a steadfast presence, cheering from the stands and providing the emotional foundation upon which athletic confidence is built.
Mommy Noreen acknowledged in SILAI's celebration of Andee's achievement—a simple recognition that speaks to the profound importance of parental support in youth athletics. “Parents who show up, who believe fiercely, who celebrate effort and achievement, create the emotional safety that allows young athletes to take risks and perform at their best,” she beamed.
Alignment with SILAI's Educational Philosophy
Andee's achievement reflects Summit Integrated Learning Academy's comprehensive approach to student development. Mrs. Marivic Chee, School Vice President, has stated eloquently about the school's mission: "We do not simply educate minds; we engage hearts and develop champions for life."
Artistic gymnastics exemplifies this philosophy. The sport demands not just physical capability but also mental resilience, artistic sensitivity, and the courage to perform complex skills in front of judges and spectators. Young gymnasts learn discipline through repetitive training, courage through facing challenging elements, and grace through artistic expression.
SILAI's Holistic Development Commitment
Mrs. Laura Avila, Administrative and Finance Director, has emphasized that SILAI's commitment extends across all dimensions of student growth. "The facilities, technology, instructional materials, and support services you enjoy are provided because we believe in investing in your future," she has stated.
This investment manifests in athletic programs coached by experts, supported by caring educators, and celebrated by an entire school community. Andee's bronze medal is evidence that these investments yield results.
Vision Realized Through Athletic Excellence
Andee's performance on the floor exercise at the EVRAA Meet directly connects to SILAI's stated core objective: "Holistic Development — Support the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development of each child through integrated learning experiences."
Physical development through gymnastics training builds strength, flexibility, and spatial awareness. Cognitive development occurs through learning and executing complex movement sequences. Social development happens through team participation and community support. Emotional development emerges through facing challenges, managing performance anxiety, and celebrating achievement. Moral development occurs through understanding discipline, respecting coaches and judges, and demonstrating sportsmanship.
Andee's bronze medal represents the successful integration of all these developmental dimensions.
Recognition from Coaches and Community
The gymnastics coaching staff at SILAI recognized Andee's potential and provided the specialized training required for regional competition. Her coach's attention to technical detail, artistic expression, and mental preparation created the foundation upon which her bronze medal performance was built.
"Every flip you performed reflected the courage inside you," SILAI celebrated. "Every landing demonstrated the strength you've built through training. Every routine showed your heart."
Conclusion: The Champions' Legacy
As the EVRAA Meet 2026 concludes, Ryssa Aletheia G. Picache's three medals and Andee Lian Valenton's bronze medal will be displayed in SILAI's halls—tangible reminders that when educators care deeply, when coaches train with expertise, when families believe fiercely, and when young people commit themselves fully to excellence, champions are born.
The Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association will remember these performances. Tacloban City Division will benefit from these achievements. But most importantly, Ryssa and Andee will remember this moment—when they stepped into their power, trusted their training, and showed the world what it means to be a champion.
Summit Integrated Learning Academy stands proud. Tacloban City Division stands proud. And the legacy of these two young athletes will inspire generations of SILAI students to pursue excellence with courage, discipline, and an unwavering belief in their potential.
I By: SILAI Summit Tinker Editorial Team
