'TOL VIEWS
All gears continue to fire up in the on-going 32nd Southeast Asian Games and 12th Para Games in Cambodia. Southeast Asian sports once again take center stage as athletes from 11 nations compete in the 37 sports events lined up for the sports meet. The SEA Games scheduled to run from May 5 to 17 is not only a showcase of Southeast Asian sports prowess, but more so, an affirmation of the region’s solidarity, friendship, and a shared vision for inclusive regional growth.
Our Filipino prides took off with an impressive start and has remained consistent in the medal tallies since the games commenced. The Philippine delegation to the 2023 SEA Games is the fifth largest among the competing nations with a delegation of 1,342 athletes and sports officials. The largest contingent comes from Thai-land with 1,985 members, followed by Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The host country Cambodia has a total delegation of 1,158 and is the sixth largest group among 11 nations.
The medal tally for the Philippines is expected to rise as the 2023 SEA Games run on. The Philippines hopes to land at least at the third spot in the ranking of countries by the end of the sports competition on May 17. As of May 10, our SEA Games squad has already tallied 25 gold, 39 silver, and 42 bronze medals. Top calibre pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and phenomenal gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo, as expected, also brought the Philip-pines top podium finishes. Team Philippines also swept all four gold medals in the obstacle race event. Other Filipino athletes who claimed golden pieces include Teia Salvino in the 100m backstroke and defending champion Fernando Casares in the men’s triathlon. We hope to gain a better finish this year after our fourth place performance in the Vietnam SEA Games last year.
Our participation in the SEA Games not only unites us a nation but more importantly keeps us woven into a shared cultural Southeast Asian fabric. Similarly, the SEA Games drives and sustains youth and sports development alongside building strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect for our brothers and sisters in the region. Sports competitions are like fertile grounds from which talent and virtues are shaped and nurtured. Our hopes remain high that our Pinoy prides will showcase the Filipino brand of sportsmanship and athleticism as they compete for the country’s glory and honor in the 2023 SEA Games. Our prayers and well wishes for all of you.
Mabuhay ang marangal na atletang Pinoy!