Iloilo Giants Dominate WVRAA 2026; Passi City Solidifies Status as Sports Hub

PASSI CITY, ILOILO — The Schools Division of Iloilo, competing as the “Iloilo Giants,” showcased a masterclass in athletic performance to secure the overall championship at the recently concluded 2026 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet. The event, which ran from March 14 to 23, saw nearly 7,000 athletes converge in the “Sweet City” of Passi.

This year’s meet marked a significant turning point for the region, being the first competition following the departure of Negros Occidental to the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR). Despite the change, the competitive spirit remained at an all-time high.

The Iloilo Giants finished the meet with an overwhelming 207 gold medals, nearly doubling the count of their closest competitor, the Urban Blaze (Iloilo City), who secured 107 golds. The Mighty Maroons of Aklan rounded out the top three, notable for earning the highest number of bronze medals (116) across the board.

Source: https://www.wvraa.com
Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares hailed the event as a success for the city’s infrastructure and tourism. Despite challenging heat conditions that saw outdoor events rescheduled to earlier and later hours for athlete safety, the “Pintados Bravehearts” hosted a seamless tournament, utilizing top-tier facilities that the city hopes will soon host a Palarong Pambansa.

With the regional meet concluded, the top-performing athletes from these divisions will now begin intensive training to represent Western Visayas in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur this May.