ILOILO — Iloilo Province stamped its dominance in Western Visayas sports.
The Iloilo Giants emerged as overall champions in the 2026 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) meet, capping a weeklong tournament in Passi City that drew over 4,000 student-athletes from across the region.
The March 17–22 competition showcased the region’s top young talents under intense conditions, with athletes from eight Schools Division Offices (SDOs) battling not only each other but also the challenges of extreme heat—highlighting both skill and resilience on the regional stage.
Iloilo Giants of SDO Iloilo swept the overall title, also ruling the elementary and secondary divisions, as well as the paragames category, firmly establishing themselves as the region’s powerhouse.
Urban Blaze of Iloilo City settled for runner-up honors across multiple divisions, while Aklan’s Mighty Maroons consistently placed third.
Passi City’s Mayor Stephen Palmares credited the success of the event to collective effort and preparation.
“This successful meeting reflects not only the hard work of the athletes but also the dedication of coaches, trainers, and the entire community,” Palmares said.
DepEd Region 6 director Cristito Eco, meanwhile, underscored the deeper value of the competition beyond medals and rankings.
“Life is filled with challenges, joys, and lessons learned from both victories and defeats. At your age, it is crucial to grasp that the path to success involves overcoming numerous hurdles,” Eco said.
He added: “No champion has ever succeeded without experiencing defeat. It’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you rise again.”
Eco further reminded participants of their intrinsic worth regardless of results: “Whether you win or lose, each of you is a champion in my eyes. Your willingness to compete today inspires us all to work harder for our future endeavors.”
Among the standout achievements, SDO Iloilo City captured the gold medal in elementary girls’ volleyball, earning the right to represent Western Visayas in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in May.
Victoria F. Saturnino, a volleyball trainer from Lapaz I Elementary School, hailed the victory as a product of discipline and faith.
“The countless hours of training paid off with our champion title! Our faith and perseverance truly guided us to success at the WVRAA meet 2026. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our young athletes,” Saturnino said.
Athletes themselves highlighted the experience as transformative.
“Participating in the WVRAA has been an incredible experience! We learned teamwork and discipline, and we are eager to prepare for our return next year, where we’ll give it our all once again,” said Justin Erl Loyola, captain of Iloilo City’s secondary boys’ baseball team.
Coaches also pointed to the competition as a benchmark for improvement.
“This competition has challenged us to grow. It’s a call to action to train harder and provide unwavering support for our athletes. We’re determined to come back even stronger next year,” said baseball coach Crifel Rosal.
Palmares emphasized that the event’s success was rooted in unity and collaboration.
“The accomplishments of this WVRAA meet are not solely mine; they stem from the collective efforts of every individual involved. As Michael Jordan famously said, ‘Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships.’ This competition was nothing short of a remarkable display of that principle.”
Participants from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo Province, Iloilo City, Passi City, and Roxas City took part in the tournament, fostering camaraderie and regional pride despite the demanding conditions.
As WVRAA 2026 concluded, officials and participants alike pointed to a growing pipeline of talent in Western Visayas, with expectations rising for an even more competitive showing in future editions and in national competitions.
WVRAA 2026 WINNERS
Elementary Level
* Champion – Iloilo Giants – SDO Iloilo
* 1st Runner-up – Urban Blaze – SDO Iloilo City
* 2nd Runner-up – Red Sprinters – SDO Antique
Secondary Division
* Champion – Iloilo Giants – SDO Iloilo
* 1st Runner-up – Urban Blaze – SDO Iloilo City
* 2nd Runner-up – Mighty Maroons – SDO Aklan
Overall Results
* Champion – Iloilo Giants – SDO Iloilo
* 1st Runner-up – Urban Blaze – SDO Iloilo City
* 2nd Runner-up – Mighty Maroons – SDO Aklan
Paragames
* Champion – Iloilo Giants – SDO Iloilo
* 1st Runner-up – Golden Warriors – SDO Capiz
* 2nd Runner-up – Mighty Maroons – SDO Aklan/PN
