Mico Villaran's unique hair colors during huge tournaments is both a tradition and a statement, said a report by Bea Micaller of GMA Integrated News.

Villaran ruled the secondary boys' 110m hurdles in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa on Monday after he posted 14.00 seconds on the way to erasing a 15-year-old 14.68 record of Patrick Unso.

But aside from his record-breaking finish, Villaran also stood out due to his strikingly dyed hair. 

Villaran later on revealed it's been a custom in their training camp in Bacolod for all athletes to color their hair before seeing action in a huge tournament such as the Palarong Pambansa. 
"Doon kasi sa training ground namin sa school, lahat ng atleta meron kulay ang buhok kaya ‘pag may big event kinukulayan na talaga," Villaran, who has been doing the tradition since 2019, told GMA News Online.

"‘Pag big event, naka-depende sa’yo kung anong kulay ‘yung ilalagay mo kaya iba-iba ‘yung tina-try kong kulay."

According to Villaran, having his hair colored gives him added confidence and swag on the track as evidenced by his historic performance two days ago at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium that allowed him to set a new mark in the event. 

"Para po sa aming mga taga-Bacolod track and field may dagdag angas at porma na rin sa laro kaya tinutuloy ‘yung pagkukulay. Since 2019 nagkukulay na po ako," added Villaran, a student at the Romanito Maravilla National High School.

The 18-year-old trackster admitted breaking the record was the plan for this edition of Palaro after he wasn't able to achieve the feat last year in Cebu. 

"Ang masasabi ko po sa record-breaking performance ko dito sa Palaro ay sobrang saya. Pinaghandaan ko talaga ‘yung record at hindi lang ‘yung gold medal kasi last year hindi na po-officialize ‘yung record ko kaya ngayon ‘yung record talaga ‘yung pinaghandaan namin ng coach ko," he shared.

"Bale last year nag-declare po sila na kulang daw po ng two meters ‘yung oval kaya hindi nalagay ‘yung record."