Rising Stars: The young Filipinas who lit up the 33rd SEA Games

The Philippines may not have eclipsed its 58-gold haul from the previous Southeast Asian Games, but the 33rd edition in Thailand quietly revealed something just as significant: the rise of a fearless new generation of Filipina athletes ready to carry the nation forward.

Across disciplines as varied as skateboarding, athletics, basketball, football, combat sports, and gymnastics, teenagers — some barely into their teens — stepped onto the regional stage and performed with maturity beyond their years. 

Their victories were not just podium moments, but early signals of what Philippine sports could look like in the years ahead.

At the forefront was Mazel Paris Alegado, who at just 11 years old continues to defy expectations in women’s park skateboarding. 

Already a veteran of the Asian Games at age nine, Alegado became the youngest Filipino gold medalist of the Thailand SEA Games after outscoring fellow prodigy Elizabeth Amador in the finals. Her rapid rise suggests that her ceiling is far higher than Southeast Asia.

In athletics, Naomi Cesar, only 16, authored her own chapter of history by becoming the youngest Filipino gold medalist in track and field. 

Winning the women’s 800 meters against defending champion Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Cesar added a deeply personal layer to her triumph — following the footsteps of her father, a former national athlete, and joining a family already woven into Philippine sporting lore.

Basketball’s future also came into focus through Sophia Dignadice, the 17-year-old guard who thrived under pressure with Gilas Women. Carrying a storied surname, she carved her own identity by emerging as the team’s most consistent scorer and helping the Philippines reclaim regional supremacy. Her poise and production hinted at long-term stability for the national program.

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SHINING SILVER

19-year-old Kira Ellis defies the odds to power her way to a silver medal for the Philippines in the Women’s Individual Triathlon at the SEA Games 2025 Thailand!#2025SEAGames #SEAGames #TibayAtTatag #SEAGames33 #SEAGamesThailand #SEAGames2025 pic.twitter.com/Clb2qofZmX

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 19, 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

In combat sports, Tachiana Mangin, 18, reinforced her growing reputation by conquering the women’s -49kg taekwondo division. Already a junior world champion, Mangin proved she could handle elite opposition by defeating a decorated Thai fighter on home soil — a performance that underscored both her confidence and international readiness.

Football’s golden breakthrough was likewise shaped by youth. Alexa Pino, Jael-Marie Guy, and Ariana Markey, all 18, played pivotal roles in the Filipinas’ dramatic gold-medal run. Whether scoring decisive goals in regulation or calmly converting penalties under immense pressure, the trio embodied the composure and courage that defined the team’s historic triumph. 

Alongside fellow teenagers in the squad, they form the backbone of a promising pipeline for Philippine women’s football.

The medals kept coming from less traditional strongholds as well. Erin Micor, just 17, announced herself on the regional stage by winning gold in women’s open individual practical shooting — a new SEA Games event — showcasing remarkable precision against more seasoned competitors. 

Meanwhile, Jasmine Ramilo, also 17, overcame logistical setbacks and pressure to win gold in women’s all-around rhythmic gymnastics, further cementing her status as one of the country’s most technically gifted young athletes.

Rounding out the youth movement was Kira Ellis, 19, whose endurance and grit defined her SEA Games campaign. Despite battling food poisoning days before a key race, Ellis still collected two golds in relay events and multiple podium finishes across triathlon and aquathlon competitions.

 Her consistency across international meets points to an athlete capable of sustaining success well beyond regional competition.

The medal table may not tell the full story of Thailand 2025 for the Philippines — but the emergence of these young Filipinas does. In their performances, Philippine sports found not just moments of celebration, but a compelling vision of what lies ahead.

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