The Davao Eagles soared high and struck gold—four times at the Sarrat Civic Center in Ilocos Norte. The Eagles swept all four gold medals in the finals and added two bronze medals to emerge as overall champions in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa wushu competition held Thursday, May 29.
From eviction threats to knockout wins, the Davao Eagles fought not just for medals but for family, futures, and redemption.
At the forefront of the golden sweep was 15-year-old Ivy Ledama of Mintal Comprehensive High School, who defended her title in the secondary girls group B (48kg). For her, the gold wasn’t just a win—it was a symbol of hope.
(I’m very happy and thankful this victory was given to me. Without God, I wouldn’t have achieved it)," she said in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao.
Her motivation? A dream to finish the new home her family began building after being forced to leave the one they could no longer call theirs.
"Gihinay-hinay nami pahawa. So tong kadaugan nako sa Cebu gisugdan pahimo among balay, karon sa akong pagdaug napud, mapadayon na gyud ang balay para sa akong pamilya (We were slowly being evicted. My win in Cebu helped start the construction—now this win will finally continue the works for our home)," Ledama shared, her words carrying the weight of everything her family has been through.
While her parents rely on backyard farming and tricycle driving to make ends meet, Ivy poured her strength into grueling in-house training schedules, pushing through fatigue for a chance at a better future. "Gusto ko makatabang sa akong pamilya, makita nako sila nga maglisod (I just want to help my family. I see how hard things are for them)," she said.
With her golden finish, she’s set to receive a total of ₱40,000 in cash incentives — ₱25,000 from DepEd Davao Region and ₱15,000 from DepEd Davao City through the Local School Board.
Meanwhile, Clarens Villacastin, 17, of Davao City National High School, delivered one of the most dramatic gold-medal moments of the tournament in the secondary boys group A (56kg) category. Midway through his dominant match, his opponent landed an illegal head kick that knocked him unconscious.
(I was leading on points, but I got hit in the head and blacked out. When I woke up, I was already in the clinic with doctors)," he recalled.
He later learned he’d won by disqualification. Though shaken, Clarens was grateful: Happy ko maski sa nahitabo nako, nag gold gihapon ko sa last nakong Palaro (I’m happy—despite what happened, I still got gold in my last Palaro)."
Cheered on by a crowd of 12 family members, Clarens said the win wasn’t his alone. "Dili ko sugot mapildi ko kay para sa ilaha gyud ni akong daug (I couldn’t lose—this victory was for them)."
After nine years in boxing, Clarens shifted to wushu—and now dreams of joining the national team on a college scholarship.
Jacob Rey Agad, 14, from Digos City National High School, also found redemption in his second Palaro appearance. Eliminated early in 2024, he bounced back stronger in the secondary boys group B (48kg) division.
"Naningkamot gyud ko og training. Mas nag-improve ko karon (I really worked hard in training. I’ve improved a lot)," he said. This time, his grit paid off with a gold medal and a shot at a brighter athletic career.
First-timer Abrianna Jed Payao, 13, of Tagum City National High School, proved that heart and focus can beat experience. With just five months of wushu training—after transitioning from muay thai—she conquered the secondary girls group B (42kg) division.
"Happy ako kay gold gyud akong target (I'm happy because gold was really my goal)," she said. The 2024 Batang Pinoy gold medalist added another feather to her cap, establishing herself as one of Davao’s rising stars in combat sports.
Secondary girls' coach Gabby Patosa couldn’t have been prouder. “All our finalists won gold. Our girls truly lived up to expectations, and the boys stepped up with a strong showing,” he said.
The coaching staff included boys' coach Glendyl Penpeña and chaperone Noemi Dejito.
Six out of 10 Davao Eagles wushu athletes copped medals. But more than the wins, it was their stories—of sacrifice, survival, and dreams—that made their golden victories unforgettable. MLSA