It was a first experience for Paulene Beatrice Obebe to compete in the massive event that was the Batang Pinoy 2022 National Championships. As part of the Quezon City team, Obebe found herself in a competition participated in by 101 local government units and 4,000 athletes of swimming, track and field, table tennis, and more.
Held at Vigan, Ilocos Sur last December 17 to 21, 2022, Obebe and her Quezon City team of swimmers went up against the best across the country. As an individual competitor, Obebe, a Grade 6 student of Our Lady of Fatima University- Quezon City Campus, carved out a win for herself when she took home the Gold in the 50-meter Butterfly event in the 13 to 15 age group. On the other hand, her Quezon City Team in the 13 to 15 age group bagged the Bronze in the 200-meter Medley Relay. Further, Obebe’s QC Team showed up well in the rankings of the following: Rank 4 out of 75, 100-meter Butterfly; Rank 8 out of 97, 100-meter Freestyle; Rank 5 out of 93, 50-meter Freestyle, and Rank 5 out of 63, 50-meter Backstroke.
Stars are aligning for Obebe. In October-November 2022, Obebe outshone other swimmers in the Congress of Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (COPA) Reunion Swim Challenge when she earned nine gold medals. Batang Pinoy is the grassroots sports competition program of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), created by Executive Order No. 44. It is a collaboration between the Department of Education, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Leagues of Provinces, Cities, Municipalities and Barangays. Designated as the overseer of Batang Pinoy events are the Philippine Olympic Committee and the National Sports Associations. Batang Pinoy aspires to discover and develop the best athletes in the country who can represent the Philippines in the international arena.