19/12/2025
Ric Daniel Pasadilla: When Limits Are Only Starting Lines
Another milestone has been etched into the remarkable journey of a young Ilonggo para athlete one that does not merely inspire, but challenges.
At the recently concluded Asian Youth Para Games held at the Hamdan Sports Complex, 13-year-old Ric Daniel Pasadilla of Brgy. Cau-ayan, Pototan, Iloilo rose to the international stage and shone with quiet brilliance. Against Asia’s best young para swimmers, Ric delivered a performance that spoke of courage, discipline, and an unbreakable will.
Representing the Philippines, Ric struck gold twice, claiming championships in the 100-meter butterfly (S10) and 100-meter backstroke (S10), then added another gold medal in the 200-meter Individual Medley (S14). He capped his medal haul with a silver in the 100-meter freestyle (S10) and a bronze in the 100-meter backstroke (SB9), a testament to his versatility and competitive fire.
Still in Grade 7 at Pototan National Comprehensive High School, Ric balances academics with elite-level training, an extraordinary feat for any teenager, more so for one competing on the continental stage. Under the tutelage of Rho Dutchilla, a coach known not only for excellence but for heart, Ric’s growth has been shaped by patience, trust, and relentless preparation.
Behind his journey is a powerful family influence. Ric’s elder siblings, swimmers themselves, were his first inspiration and the very ones who introduced him to the sport. Watching them train, race, and persevere planted the seed that later grew into his own passion for swimming. What began as admiration soon became purpose.
What makes his story resonate far beyond medals is this truth: Ric became an amputee as a baby. A circumstance that could have narrowed his world instead expanded it. He chose the water, not as refuge, but as a proving ground. There, effort outweighs excuse; commitment outruns doubt. Stroke by stroke, Ric rewrote what limitation means.
He is the youngest of seven children of Enrique P. Pasadilla and Venus P. Pasadilla, whose steadfast support forms the unseen backbone of his success. Their belief, matched by Ric’s resolve, has carried him from local pools to Asia’s grandest para-sport stage.
Ric Daniel Pasadilla’s triumph is more than a personal victory, it is a mirror held up to all of us, especially those with no disabilities. It asks a hard question: If he can rise this high with every reason to stop, what is holding us back?
His journey reminds us that dreams are not canceled by circumstance. They are clarified by it. And sometimes, the strongest message comes not from those who have it easiest, but from those who refuse to quit.
Gold medals fade. Courage does not.
Good luck Ric for more competitions to conquer! 👏💪
05/10/2025
A potential olympic medalist
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CLGn5roPo/
JUST IN 🏋️♂️ Weightlifting | Albert Ian Delos Santos 🇵🇭 set a NEW World record in the Clean & Jerk lift in the Junior Divsion of the men’s 71kg class at the IWF World Championships in Forde, Norway. He lifted 185kg to claim the new record!!!
Congratulations!
📸 Screengrab via IWF
28/09/2025
Lovely Mae Orbeta displayed mental toughness to outclass her experienced rivals and gifted the Philippines its first-ever gold in the 2025 WDF World Cup at the Kintex 10A Hall in Goyang-si, South Korea Saturday, Sept. 27.
Orbeta, 20, showed great composure under heavy pressure and toppled veteran Paula Murphy via a 7-2 final win to capture the crown in the women’s singles event which featured some of the globe’s elite darters... | Mark Rey Montejo
READ FULL STORY: https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/27/ph-darters-bag-two-bronzes-in-korea-tourney
📸National Darts Federation of the Philippines
01/09/2025
Western Visayas Swimmers Brave 10K Open Water Challenge in Ilocos Norte
Western Visayas’ multi-awarded distance swimmers, Bacolod City’s Justine Yu and Miguel Quilop, together with Iloilo City’s Hans Iñigo Parreño, tested their endurance in the lung-busting 10-kilometer open water competition held last August 31, 2025 at Playa Tropical Resort, Currimao, Ilocos Norte.
The event, organized by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI), served as the official national open water swimming tryouts for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, scheduled in Thailand from December 9 to 20, 2025. With some of the country’s best open water specialists vying for limited slots, the competition proved to be both intense and inspiring.
Despite falling short of a podium finish, the three Western Visayan tankers delivered commendable performances, finishing strong against a tough field of participants from across the Philippines. More importantly, the experience provided valuable exposure and a clear glimpse of the level of competition required to reach their ultimate dream: representing the country in international open water swimming events.
Undeterred by the challenge, Yu, Quilop, and Parreño remain optimistic and determined to bounce back stronger. Carrying the pride of Western Visayas, they continue to train with focus and discipline as they prepare for future national and international competitions.
30/08/2025
⚽🏊♂️ Sports in Iloilo: Football upset, swimming showdown, and Kaya FC updates! 🥇
The Iloilo sports scene is buzzing! A stunning football victory shook up the regional championship, while the city's best swimmers are making a splash this weekend. Here’s a quick rundown of what's happening:
🏆 Football Glory: Santa Barbara takes the U16 crown!
In a massive upset, the Santa Barbara Iloilo Football Club defeated the formidable Barotac Nuevo Footballers United in a dramatic penalty shootout. This victory not only secured them the Iloilo-Guimaras Regional Football Association U16 championship but also a coveted spot in the Visayas Championship.
🏊♀️ Swimming Competition: City Charter Day showdown!
The 3rd Iloilo City Charter Day Swimming Competition is happening right now! Head over to the Iloilo Sports Complex to cheer on some of the region's best swimmers. The event, supported by The Swim League Philippines, runs through Sunday, August 31.
🔴🟡 Kaya FC-Iloilo News:
AFC Champions League Draw: Kaya FC-Iloilo has been drawn into Group H for the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two, facing tough opponents from South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore.
Player Feature: A recent feature highlighted Kaya's talented sharpshooter, Shuto Komaki.
Hali Long Loan: Defender Hali Long has joined the College of Asian Scholars on a loan deal.
28/09/2025
01/09/2025
30/08/2025