Barefoot Sprinter's Grit: Western Visayas Girl Wins Palaro Gold

Ilocos Norte, Philippines – Trixia Anne Arellano, an elementary school student from Western Visayas, has captured the hearts of many after winning gold medals in both the 100m and 200m races at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. What makes her achievement even more remarkable is that she ran the 100m race with only tape wrapped around her injured foot, having ditched her shoes. "I didn’t want to quit," Arellano said in a post-race interview, her voice filled with determination. The video footage shows Arellano initially lagging behind but making a powerful sprint to the finish line, securing her victory. Her resilience and dedication serve as an inspiration to athletes and viewers alike.