The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
ALL set for Team Philippines.
The Philippines is gearing up for its biggest-ever campaign in the Southeast Asian Games as it prepares to send more than 1,600 delegates to the 2025 edition in Thailand.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed that the Thailand-bound Filipino contingent will eclipse the 1,115-strong lineup the country assembled when it hosted the multi-sports event in 2019, marking a new high in participation.
“Good Luck to Team Pilipinas. Laban tayo. Hindi tayo basta basta magpapatalo,” said Tolentino during the the colorful and inspiring send-off celebration attended by athletes, officials and representative of the ever-supportive community at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Vito Cruz, Manila.
“Mas marami pa rin ang ibang bansa ngunit ‘wag silang papasiguro, marami tayong surprises. Knockout kung knockout, tumba kung tumba. Iyan po ang Pilipino — hindi ‘yan magpapatalo,” added Tolentino, who is widely credited for the country’s succesful campaign in the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris.
Adding to the team’s morale, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio announced financial support for delegates, including an additional P6,000 allowance for the upcoming SEA Games and an P18,000 Christmas bonus, bringing the total benefit package to P24,000.
“Gantimpala ito para sa kanilang pagpupursige. Ang bawat saya ng mga atleta at coaches ay panalo ng bawat Pilipino.” Gregorio said.
The Philippines is aiming to build on its performance from the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where a leaner group of 840 athletes delivered 58 golds, 85 silvers and 117 bronzes.
The last time Team Philippines topped the overall medal tally was in the 2019 SEA Games, which the country hosted in Manila.
A total of 574 medal events will be up for grabs across 50 sports in the upcoming Games, while three others air sports, flying disc and tug of war will be staged as demonstration events. Mixed martial arts is also set to be featured as a value-added sport.
“I’m very, very happy that we finally have MMA, and we’re going to do really well in MMA. As you can see, in the Asian Youth Games, what happened was, we should’ve gotten three or four golds there,” said one of the deputy chef-de-mission Alvin Aguilar
“They just weren’t prepared enough, but we had one gold there. But in the SEA Games, I’m sure we’ll have a lot of golds there. I’m sure of that. And we haven’t brought our pros yet,” added Aguilar
Beyond government backing, strong private-sector partnerships continue to elevate athlete welfare. Philippine Airlines is set to provide smooth, hassle-free travel for the delegation, while Maya offers a fully digital payment system that allows athletes to manage their finances with ease throughout the Games.
With support from PAL, Maya, Elite Link, Avel, MILO®, and key sports leaders such as Chief of Mission Dr. Raul Canlas, Sen. Bong Go, and Rep. Mike T. Dy III, the national team marches into the SEA Games well-equipped and firmly backed on all fronts.