The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is glad to see three Batang Pinoy medalists representing the country in the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships that kicked off yesterday at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said he is pinning his hopes on CJay Pernia and brothers John Anthony and Hillarion Pales, who will compete with Karl Eldrew Yulo just a few weeks after winning gold medals in the Batang Pinoy.

Unlike most sports that were held in the main hub in General Santos City, the gymnastics events were staged at the MVP Sports Foundation Gymnasium in Intramuros, Manila last October.

“We made Batang Pinoy as a grassroots program a few weeks later. They’re on the world stage. That is a beautiful story, isn’t it?” Gregorio said.

“Now they’re in World Junior Gymnastics. How many more are there? If we can develop a lot more, if the Philippines’ delegation continues to grow, then we’ll just continue winning, right? We just have to believe that we can do it.”

John Anthony made a lot of heads turn in the Batang Pinoy when he won gold medals in the floor exercise and high bars while Hillarion dominated the pommel horse, horizontal bars and vault while also clinching the individual all-around mint.

Meanwhile, Pernia won four gold medals after asserting his might in the pommel horse, vault, parallel bars and the individual all-around.

Despite the three gymnasts facing the best in the world, Gregorio still sees it as an opportunity to improve in the future.

“What is important, as I’ve said, is we give them an opportunity to showcase their talents here in the country and number two, for them to compete against the rest of the world here. That’s a different opportunity,” Gregorio said.

“That’s the core memory of every kid. It’s the core memory of every Filipino.”