Christmas came early for the Philippine team after bagging one gold, four silver and three bronze medals in the recent World Pencak Silat Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Brothers Alfau Jan and Almohadib Abad delivered the country’s lone gold medal after topping the men’s seni ganda (men’s artistic double) against their Malaysian rival in this tournament that has attracted 57 nations.

The silver medals came from Rogielyn Parado in the women’s tanding Class B, Angeline Viriña in women’s tanding Class S, Mary Justine Acat in women’s tanding Open Class, and Alvin Campos in men’s tanding Class F.

Bronze medals winners were Edmar Tacuel in men’s seni tunggal and Harlod Ralph Ungaya in men’s tanding Class S and Gregmart Benitz in men’s tanding Class C.

The PH team’s performance serves as a morale boost for the Nationals as they gear up to another busy year in 2025 that include international stints like the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

At the 2023 edition held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the PH team bagged two silver and eight bronze medals.

The last time they won the SEAG gold was in the 2021 Vietnam edition courtesy of Mary Francine Padios in women’s single. The PH crew also went home with two bronze medals.