By: Miguel Marco
Rising hurdler Ivan Cabanda of University of Santo Tomas etched his name in UAAP athletics history by breaking a 14-year-old record in the boys’ 400-meter hurdles, securing a spot in the 2026 World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA.
Cabanda clocked an impressive 52.99 seconds, surpassing the world juniors qualifying standard of 53.00 seconds. He also became only the second Filipino to earn a berth in the global meet, following 800-meter Asian Youth Games champion Naomi Cesar.
“Dati, pangarap ko lang makapag-regional meet. Ngayon, may chance na akong makatakbo para sa Pilipinas sa World Juniors. Grabe talaga si God,” said the 17-year-old pride of Davao Occidental.
The UST standout capped off an extraordinary season that began with a remarkable showing at the Batang Pinoy in General Santos City.
Despite falling ill before the meet, he shattered records in the 110-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles, clocking 13.98 seconds and 53.23 seconds, respectively.
“Hindi ko rin talaga inexpect na makaka-break ako ng records. Kahit may sakit ako that time, binigay ko lang ‘yung 100-percent sa bawat takbo,” Cabanda said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
He carried this momentum to the UAAP high school athletics championships, where he not only reset the long-standing 400-meter hurdles record but also claimed gold in the 400-meter dash (49.05 seconds). He even powered UST’s relay squads to new meet records in both the 4×400 mixed and 4×400-meter boys’ relays.
Cabanda credited his success to UST coach Junrey Bano, who guided his training even remotely.
“Nagse-send lang siya kung ano ang gagawin. Siyempre ako yung batang mataas ang pangarap. Kahit wala si coach, ginagawa ko po yung mga binibigay niyang workout ng 100-percent. Before mag-start, nagpe-pray muna ako na sana hindi ma-injury. Grabe talaga yung preparation ko that time,” he expressed.
Now setting his sights on both a collegiate career and the chance to represent the country, Cabanda remains grounded yet hopeful of earning a spot in the national pool.
“Now, undecided pa ako sa college kung saan ako mag-aaral, kasi gusto ko ring mag-Philippine Navy,” he shared.
“And since day one pa lang, gustong-gusto ko na talagang maglaro for the national team, and now, patuloy pa rin akong nangangarap. Sana soon maging part na ako ng national team.”
After a strong UAAP season, Cabanda is also about to represent the Philippines in the ASEAN School Games in Brunei and the ASEAN Youth Championships in Medan, Indonesia.
