With the ongoing Palarong Pambansa 2025 in Ilocos Region, student-athletes from Western Visayas are impressing the crowd with record-breaking performances.
Dubbed as “The Champs,” Region VI is now reaping the hard work of their training with two record-breaking feats in this year’s edition.
WV’s Josh Gabriel J. Salcedo made history after snatching the gold medal and shattering the Palaro record at 45.52 meters in Discus Throw Secondary Boys Finals, Monday evening, May 26. The old record is 42.86 meters set by his fellow Champs, Airex Villanueva, in Marikina City in 2023.
Meanwhile, Mico Villaran successfully broke a 15-year meet record in the secondary boys’ 110-m hurdles after registering 14.00 in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. Villaran shatters Patrick Unso’s previous 14.68 mark set in Palaro 2010.
Two Carles, Iloilo runners also made a blistering finish in their respective categories after bagging gold medals for Western Visayas. Ayena Dhawn Cabalfin from Barosbos Elementary School ruled the girls’ 400-meter dash while Eda Me Arceo from Carles Central Elementary School emerged victorious in the girls’ 100-meter hurdles.
In ball games, Western Visayas’ secondary football team (Barotac Nuevo) roared back into form after cruising past the MIMAROPA team, 3-1, in their second. It was recalled that the squad also captured their first game against CVRAA, 3-1.
Over 1,700 medals are up for grabs in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. A total of 34 sports, including exhibition, demo, and para events, will be contested by the different regions, as well as representatives from the National Academy of Sports and the Philippine Overseas Schools.
To recall, the National Capital Region looks to gun for its 18th straight overall title after coming out on top last year in Cebu City with 98 golds on top of 66 silvers and 74 bronzes. However, Calabarzon and Western Visayas, which finished second and third overall, respectively, last year, are also expected to do well again this year.IMT Sports
