The Philippine delegation for the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games is already making history, as it will be the largest-ever in the country’s participation in the biennial meet.

Determined to surpass the country’s performance in the past editions, the Philippine team will be represented by over 1,600 athletes, coaches, and staff, the biggest PH delegation ever.

It outnumbers the 1,115 group that the country fielded in its historic 2019 hosting.

“This is the biggest delegation that we will ever send in the Southeast Asian Games, and all eyes are set to finish with a medal and bring honor and pride to the nation,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.

Leading the pack, the national athletics team will feature the largest number of athletes from the Filipino contingent, with 61 across the board. Meanwhile, the jiu-jitsu team is out to prove yet again their dominance with their 45 members competing for the country’s glory.

Four-time SEA Games champion Eumir Marcial will spearhead the Philippines’ 13-man boxing delegation, together with fellow Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.

“Medyo pressure kasi fans expect gold, but amateur boxing requires a different preparation. Kapag bayan ang nangangailangan ng laban, lalo na sa SEA Games, priority ko talaga yan,” undefeated pro boxer Marcial stressed in an interview.

Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala and Alas Pilipinas team captain Bryan Bagunas will be the Philippines’ flag-bearers in the opening ceremony of the games, which officially start next Tuesday.

In the 2023 edition, the Philippines sent only 840 athletes to Cambodia, where the team earned 58 gold, 85 silver, and 117 bronze medals.

The Philippine contingent will look to clinch their way back into the regional podium after their fourth-place finish in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, where they won 58 gold, 85 silver, and 117 bronze medals.