Philippine skaters set sights on podium finish at 2025 SEA Games

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) are set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 9 to 20, with the Philippines fielding one of its largest contingents to date — a 1,600-strong delegation of athletes competing across multiple sports.

Among them, the Philippine Skating Union (PSU) will send 12 representatives to participate in figure skating and speed skating, with PSU president Nikki Cheng expressing optimism about the team’s medal prospects.

“For me, as long as they perform how they perform today, they are in the running for a podium finish and even a gold medal,” said Cheng. “If we see the performances of Southeast Asian countries in the recent Asian Winter Games earlier this year, the Philippines actually ranks the highest. So I hope that they perform clean programs and for sure, we’re going to have a podium finish.”

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Leading the national skating team are two-time Nationals champion Maxine Bautista and Nationals champion Paolo Borromeo, joined by silver medalists Cathryn Limkethai and Brandon Baldoz in the figure skating events.

Both Bautista and Borromeo expressed excitement and pride in representing the Philippines on such a significant stage.

Figure skaters Maxine Bautista, Cathryn Limketkai, Paolo Borromeo and Brandon Baldoz will represent the country at the Southeast Asian Games next month. 🇵🇭⛸️

The Philippine Skating Union is optimistic of the country’s chances at the regional showcase. | via @PaigeJavier

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— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) November 12, 2025

“It’s so amazing because I know how it’s very important to Southeast Asian countries. It’s really an honor to be selected for it,” said Bautista. “I will go home, keep training. I think I might do one more competition before that one just to kind of prep for it. Yeah same thing, just keep training and prepare for it.”

“I’m very excited. Earlier this year, we did the Asian Winter Games, and that was what I had actually felt like the best so far. And I hope I can kind of tap back into that rhythm for the SEA Games also,” added Borromeo.

While both skaters are looking forward to the competition, they acknowledged the pressure that comes with representing the country for the first time at the SEA Games.

“I feel like there definitely is a little pressure with that just because the whole country is watching,” Bautista admitted. “Knowing how important it is to everyone having representatives there. I will just take that pressure and use it and try to perform my best.”

“I think the pressure is more just self-imposed rather than something that because there’s someone else has said,” Borromeo shared. “More for myself. I feel like maybe unnecessarily I put a lot of pressure on myself, but because I know what I’m capable of, I just really, really want to show that.”

Cheng noted that much of Team Philippines’ training takes place overseas, supported by funding from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). She added that, in addition to figure skating and speed skating, ice hockey will also be featured in this year’s SEA Games.

With a strong showing in previous winter competitions and renewed confidence heading into Bangkok, the Philippine skaters are poised to make their mark on the regional stage.

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