CAPIZ – A native of this province, Angel Villagracia won gold medal at the Palarong Pambansa 2025 in Ilocos Norte after ruling the secondary girls’ 100-meter hurdles.
This student-athlete from Capiz National High School who represented the Western Visayas region emerged victorious against seven other athletes from across the country, clocking in at 14.64 seconds to secure the top podium spot.
Close behind her was Ma. Lhynette A. Libranda of the National Capital Region (NCR), who took silver with a time of 14.69 seconds, while Jecel C. Vivas of Region VIII – Eastern Visayas earned the bronze with 15.08 seconds.
Hurdling is a track and field event in which athletes sprint while jumping over a series of evenly spaced barriers called hurdles.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Villagracia reflected on her journey: “Three-time gold medalist in Palarong Pambansa. Every drop of sweat, every early morning, and every failure — they all led to this moment. Success isn’t just about the win, it’s about the journey. It’s about showing up when no one’s watching, pushing through when your body says stop, and believing when doubt creeps in. This isn’t just a game. This is purpose, passion, and proof that hard work pays off. And this is only the beginning.”
This victory marks Villagracia’s third gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa, having successfully defended her title from the 2024 games in Cebu City. She also made her mark internationally by running the 100-meter hurdles in 14.39 seconds at the 6th Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Saudi Arabia, finishing third in her heat and qualifying for the finals.
The Palarong Pambansa 2025, the country’s most anticipated youth sports event, runs from May 24 to June 1. The Western Visayas delegation, one of the largest, consists of 1,005 members, including 608 athletes, 88 coaches, 24 assistant coaches, 40 chaperones, seven management committee members, 43 oversight officials, and 195 technical staff./PN
