Ilocos norte: The province of Ilocos Norte mourned the death of Mark Dave Nicolas, a Palarong Pambansa gold medalist from Piddig town and one of the country's rising stars in track and field. Nicolas passed away on Wednesday at the age of 18. The cause of his death is yet to be disclosed.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc expressed his condolences and shared a heartfelt memory of Nicolas. He recalled the moment during the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, hosted in Ilocos Norte, when Nicolas smashed a record at the home stadium, bringing joy to the local community. Manotoc remarked on the touching sight of Nicolas's mother embracing her son in celebration and promised to support Nicolas's family in the wake of his passing.

Nicolas's achievements in track and field were noteworthy, especially his record-breaking performance last year during the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. The young athlete, who was a former standout at Piddig National High School, secured two gold medals in the 400m and 4x400 relay events. He also earned silver medals in the 1500m and 4x100 relay.

In addition to his success at the Palaro, Nicolas won a silver medal in the 14th ASEAN Schools Games in the same year. He had also competed in the Philippine Athletics Open, showcasing his talent on both national and regional stages.

Following Nicolas's death, an outpouring of sympathy and support from fans and the track and field community appeared on social media, highlighting the impact he had on many during his promising career.