Galing ng sundalong atleta! AFP honors 117 soldier-athletes, coaches after strong SEA Games showing
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. (middle) poses with soldier-athletes and soldier-coaches who proudly display their medals following an awarding ceremony at the AFP General Headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on February 2, 2026. (Photo: AFP)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, Feb. 2, paid tribute to its soldier-athletes and coaches for their solid performances during the recently held 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.
AFP Chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. led the ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City where 117 soldier-athletes and soldier-coaches from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy were awarded for their role in the Games held from Dec. 9 to 20, 2025.
Based on AFP’s records, soldier-athletes and soldier-coaches won five gold, five silver, and 26 bronze medals during the SEA Games, accounting for 13 percent of the country’s total medal haul.
The Team Philippines collected 276 medals during the games, including 50 gold, 72 silver, and 154 bronze medals, placing them sixth out of 11 competing countries. The SEA Games was led by host Thailand with 500 medals, followed by Indonesia with 333, Vietnam with 278, Malaysia with 231, and Singapore with 202 (52 golds).
Brawner said the achievements of the awardees mirrored the values expected of soldiers.
“Their achievement reflects the same values we uphold in uniform—perseverance, professionalism, and service to country. We commend them not only for the medals they earned but for the honor they brought to the AFP and to the nation,” he said.
During the ceremony, Brawner awarded the Commendation Medal and Ribbon to Technical Sergeant Margarito J. Angana Jr., of the Philippine Air Force, and nine others for their service as soldier-coaches.
Meanwhile, the Meritorious Achievement Medal was conferred on Sergeant Romeo E. Jasmin Jr. and 59 others for securing gold medals as soldier-athletes.
Lt. Gen. Rommel P. Roldan and six others also received awards for their role as supervising and monitoring officers of the AFP delegation to the SEA Games.