PASSI CITY, Iloilo — Nearly 4,000 student-athletes from across Western Visayas are set to converge in Passi City for the 2026 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet, with the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 mobilizing almost 7,000 participants and officials for the weeklong sporting spectacle from March 17 to 23.
The regional sports meet, one of the largest youth athletic gatherings, is expected to draw 6,965 delegates, including 3,933 athletes representing eight Schools Division Offices, according to Hernani Escullar Jr., information officer of DepEd-6.
The competition will also be supported by 723 officiating officials and 102 non-officiating officials tasked to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the games.
A total of 16 sporting events will be contested in the elementary division and 25 in the secondary level, along with four para-games that will highlight inclusivity and athletic excellence among differently abled competitors.
This year’s edition of the WVRAA marks a notable shift in regional participation, as Negros Occidental will not be joining the competition for the first time following the establishment of the Negros Island Region.
Most competitions will be staged in Passi City, the host of the 2026 regional meet. However, several events will be held in other venues due to facility requirements.
Swimming competitions will take place at the Iloilo Sports Complex in Iloilo City, while football matches will be held at the football field in Barotac Nuevo, widely regarded as the football capital of the Philippines.
Athletic delegations are expected to arrive between March 11 and 13, while officiating officials will report on March 14. Preparatory activities include a religious gathering on March 15 and a refresher course and solidarity meeting on March 16.
The opening ceremony will formally launch the WVRAA Meet on March 17, with competitions scheduled from March 18 until noon of March 22.
DepEd-6 earlier unveiled the official WVRAA logo during the third coordination meeting in Passi City. The emblem highlights the region’s athletic spirit and cultural heritage.
The design features a torch formed by the intertwined letters “V” and “W,” symbolizing Western Visayas and the essence of sportsmanship.
It is complemented by a “lambong” or veil design inspired by the Pintados de Pasi Festival logo, incorporating tribal patterns that form the letter “P” for both Passi and Pintados.
The blazing fire in the torch represents the energy, determination, and unity that athletes are expected to bring to the games.
The emblem’s colors represent the eight Schools Division Offices in Western Visayas: maroon for Aklan, red for Antique, gold for Capiz, blue for Guimaras, navy blue for Iloilo province, white for Iloilo City, royal blue for Passi City, and canary yellow for Roxas City.
The logo was designed by Hans Yuri Centino.
This year’s WVRAA sports meet carries the theme “Stronger Champions, Greater Heights,” reflecting the region’s continuing push to develop young athletes while strengthening unity and sportsmanship across Western Visayas./PN
