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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Ayala Foundation Inc.) |
Eighteen national athletes under the Atletang Ayala program proudly represented the Philippines at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand and won two golds, five silvers, and 10 bronzes, totaling a haul of 17 medals for the country. These athletes have competed in archery, badminton, fencing, judo, rowing, shooting, taekwondo, and wrestling against the best from across the region for pride and glory and with the support of Filipino sports fans in and out of the country.
The gold medals were won by Jayvee Ferrer of AC Health, Leah Jhane Lopez of Globe in judo (mixed team), and Joanie Delgaco of IMI in rowing (double sculls) while the silver medals were secured by Laila Delo of AC Mobility in taekwondo (73kg), Jayvee Ferrer of AC Health in judo (81kg), Noelito Jose Jr. of BPI in fencing (épée), Janna Catantan of AC Health in fencing (Team Foil), and Joanie Delgaco of IMI in rowing (individual sculls). The 10 bronze medals came from taekwondo, judo, fencing, and wrestling. In taekwondo, bronze medals were won by Kurt Barbosa of IMI (54kg), Baby Jessica Canabal of BPI (53kg), and Dave Cea of Ayala Land (74kg). In judo, Leah Jhane Lopez of Globe earned bronze in kata while Jason Baucas of BPI secured bronze in wrestling (77kg). In fencing, individual bronze medals were won by Nathan Perez of Ayala Coop (foil) and Janna Catantan of AC Health (foil) while team bronze medals were won by Nathan Perez of Ayala Coop and Sammuel Tranquilan of ACEN (team foil), Hanniel Abella of Ayala Land (team épée), and Noelito Jose Jr. of BPI and Sammuel Tranquilan of ACEN (team épée).
On one of Southeast Asia’s biggest sporting stages, the athletes carried the Philippine flag with discipline, resilience, and pride – reflecting years of dedicated training and the collective support that enables them to compete at the highest level. Although the Atletang Ayala delegation comprised just 18 of the Philippines’ 1,168 athletes at the SEA Games representing 1.54% of the largest national contingent in local sports history, the medals won by these athletes accounted for 7.42% of the country’s total medal haul. This performance translates to a medal contribution nearly five times greater than their share of the national athlete pool. Their impact was similarly concentrated across disciplines. Atletang Ayala athletes competed in eight of the Games’ 50 sports disciplines (16%) and 30 of 574 total events (5.23%) yet produced a medal share that exceeded both their sport coverage and event participation – underscoring the program’s effectiveness in developing high-performing athletes. Atletang Ayala is the athletic support program of the Ayala Group of Companies managed by Ayala Foundation which brings together elite Filipino athletes from across the Ayala group and provides professional pathways alongside support for training and competition. Through flexible work arrangements, and access to world-class training and medical services, the program enables athletes to compete at the highest level while building long-term corporate careers.
“Every competition is a reminder that behind every athlete is a network of support, from families, coaches, institutions, and communities. We are proud to stand behind our Atletang Ayala athletes as they represent the Philippines on the global stage,” said Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino. The participation of Atletang Ayala at the SEA Games underscores the role of sport in shaping leaders, strengthening national pride, and inspiring the next generation. Their journeys reflect what is possible when opportunity, discipline, and shared commitment come together.
