Cesar sisters power Team Philippines as Naomi turns youth promise into SEA Games gold

For Team Philippines, the Cesar name has quickly become synonymous with belief turning into reward — and on Monday night in Bangkok, that belief crossed the finish line in gold.

Naomi Cesar, just 16 years old, announced her arrival on the Southeast Asian Games stage by capturing the women’s 800-meter title at the Supalacahsai National Stadium. 

Racing against a field stacked with older, more seasoned competitors, the teenage trackster refused to be overawed, digging deep in the closing meters to edge Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Thu Ha in a dramatic photo finish, 2:10.2 to 2:10.3.

The victory marked a striking leap forward for Cesar, who stood on the podium with a silver medal at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain just last October. This time, the color changed — and so did the stage. From youth competition to the region’s biggest multi-sport meet, Cesar proved she belonged among the elite.

Her gold, however, carried extra meaning beyond the stopwatch. Naomi is the daughter of former national sprinter Ben Cesar and the younger sister of Malea Cesar, who is also chasing her own moment for the Philippines. 

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“I’m so proud of her!”@maleacesar2 breaks down in happy tears after watching her sister Naomi Cesar win #SEAGAMES2025 Gold in Women’s 800m miles away in Bangkok with the rest of the Filipinas cheering her on pic.twitter.com/s4lTlo1uCe

— Philippine Women’s National Football Team (@PilipinasWNFT) December 15, 2025

HAIL CESAR

Naomi Cesar commands the oval as she captures a gold medal for the Philippines in the Athletics Women’s 800m event at the SEA Games 2025 Thailand!#2025SEAGames #SEAGames #TibayAtTatag #SEAGames33 #SEAGamesThailand #SEAGames2025 pic.twitter.com/SuEUqYn5uy

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 15, 2025

While Naomi surged down the track, Malea prepared for battle with the Filipinas, eyeing gold in the women’s football final against Vietnam on Wednesday — turning the SEA Games into a shared family mission.

Naomi’s triumph was far from smooth sailing. Midway through the race, she stumbled after being clipped, forcing her to regroup on the fly. Instead of fading, she unleashed a punishing final lap, pouring every ounce of energy into the last stretch.

“I couldn’t ask for a better result,” said Cesar. “I’m kinda shocked. I got tripped a little in the second lap so I left everything in the track.”

“It feels amazing. I’m so honored and so proud to represent the country. To win the gold is a dream come true,” she added.

As the Games unfold, the Cesar sisters have emerged as symbols of the Philippines’ bright future — one already crowned in gold on the track, and another poised to make history on the football pitch. Together, Naomi and Malea are not just winning medals, but writing a family story that now belongs to Team Philippines.

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