[HOMESTRETCH] Youth in flight: Sepak takraw and Palarong Pambansa 2025

Did you ever play sipa when you were kid? That game that pre-dates Spanish rule is a cousin of this thrilling, demanding sport.

ILOCOS NORTE, Philippines – Sepak takraw is a dynamic and engaging athletic event that combines elements of volleyball, football, and martial arts. It’s a beautiful sport — especially hard to train for. But it’s not getting enough attention.

HOMESTRETCH travels to Laoag, Ilocos Norte for the Palarong Pambansa 2025 and explores untold stories from the teams competing in the premiere junior league for student-athletes. The Western Visayas champs, who won the gold medal in secondary boys and the over-all championship for sepak takraw, share anecdotes from their journey — from bagging the bronze in 2023 and silver in 2024 editions of the Palaro, to dreams of making it to the national team.

Show host Pató Gregorio also sits down with Mark Saavedra, coach for the national team of sepak takraw, as they deep-dive into the sport and its future for Philippine athletes.

Co-presented by Rappler and Duckworld, HOMESTRETCH aims to tell the stories of people that inspire us with their struggles and triumphs, and the places that help define our spirit as a nation.

Watch on Sunday, June 8, at 8 pm on Rappler’s YouTube channel. – Rappler.com