SANTIAGO CITY, ISABELA — He may be a boy of few words, but seven-year-old Ethan Jace Viernes let his performance do the talking at the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Meet (CAVRAA) 2026.
The young prodigy from Quirino province emerged as the breakout star of the gymnastics competition, dislodging older, more experienced athletes to secure a staggering four gold medals and one bronze. Competing at the San Andres Community Center, Viernes dominated the mushroom exercise, high bar, vault, and floor exercise, while clinching bronze in the all-around final.
Viernes’ motivation is no secret. A massive fan of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, the young gymnast has told his coaches he dreams of being “the next Yulo.” He even carries the memory of a brief encounter with his idol during a practice session in Marikina City—a moment that clearly fueled his fire.
“He is still young, but he is incredibly well-disciplined,” said his coach, Christopher Pagbilao of La Paz Elementary School. “He never misses practice. He would even skip breakfast to join our 7:00 AM strengthening sessions, eating only after the work was done.”
The talent seems to run in the family, as Jace was first influenced to take up the sport by his older brother. Living near the training grounds has also been a blessing; Pagbilao noted that the proximity allows Jace to balance his rigorous routine of twice-a-day sessions with proper rest and nutrition at home.
His dominant performance in Isabela has earned him a coveted ticket to the Palarong Pambansa later this year, where he will represent the Cagayan Valley region on the national stage.
Beyond the medals, the Provincial Local Government of Quirino has rewarded his hard work with a P60,000 incentive. When asked what he’d do with the windfall, the soft-spoken champion offered a relatable answer for any seven-year-old: he wants to buy a cellphone.
As the regional meet concludes this Thursday, the name Ethan Jace Viernes is already being whispered as a future pillar of Philippine gymnastics.