Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honors SEA Games athletes with additional cash incentives

The Philippine contingent capped off an impressive campaign at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing home a remarkable total of 277 medals — 50 golds, 73 silvers, and 154 bronzes — to secure sixth place overall in the medal standings. Filipino athletes showcased exceptional skill, resilience, and determination across a wide array of sports, demonstrating once again the growing competitiveness of the country in the regional sporting arena.

To honor the achievements of these athletes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led a special recognition ceremony, dubbed “Parangal at Pasasalamat sa mga Bayaning Atleta,” held on Wednesday, January 21, at Intramuros, Manila. The event brought together approximately 500 Filipino athletes, coaches, and support staff who proudly represented the nation on the international stage.

During the ceremony, Marcos Jr. personally distributed cash incentives to the medal-winning athletes, in accordance with Republic Act 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act. Under the law, Filipino athletes are entitled to P300,000 for a gold medal, P150,000 for silver, and P60,000 for bronze. In a gesture of additional support and recognition, the Office of the President announced that these amounts would be doubled for each medalist, while every athlete who represented the country at the SEA Games received an additional P10,000.

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Addressing the athletes, President Marcos Jr. expressed heartfelt appreciation for their sacrifices and dedication.

“Batid nating walang katumbas na halaga ang iyong sakripisyo, ngunit tanggapin ninyo ito bilang simbolo ng pagpupugay at pasasalamat ng mamamayang Pilipino sa inyong kabayanihan,” he said, emphasizing the nation’s gratitude for their extraordinary efforts.

Bilang simbolo ng pagpupugay, inanunsyo ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagbibigay ng cash incentives para sa lahat ng medalista ng 33rd SEA Games at iba pang nagwagi sa mga palaro. Kinikilala ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo ang bawat patak ng pawis at sakripisyo ng ating mga… pic.twitter.com/mIlpyCzXKZ

— Radyo Pilipinas (@radyopilipinas1) January 21, 2026

The President also highlighted the role of sports in nurturing the next generation of Filipino athletes:

“Ginagawa natin ang lahat ng ito upang hubugin ang mga susunod na henerasyon ng atletang Pilipino — mga kabataang may pangarap, may paniniwala sa sarili, at handang lumaban sa ngalan ng ating bandila,” Marcos Jr. stated.

He further reflected on the importance of discipline and character-building in sports, noting that these values extend beyond athletic competition and shape the personal and professional lives of athletes.

“Ang disiplina ay hindi lamang susi sa panalo sa loob ng arena. Ito ay humuhubog sa ating pagkatao — ang mamuhay ng may layunin, magsikap ng may kaulugan, at mangarap ng malinaw na direksiyon. At sa tuwing pinipili nating kumilos ng may disiplina, sama-sama nating binubuo ang isang bansa na hindi sumusuko — isang bansang patuloy na umaangat, nagpupunyagi, at umuunlad,” he added.

The recognition ceremony not only celebrated the medalists but also underscored the government’s commitment to supporting Filipino athletes in their pursuit of excellence. By combining monetary incentives with national recognition, the Philippines continues to encourage its young athletes to dream big and strive for greatness on both regional and global stages.

In addition to the medalists, coaches, trainers, and team officials who contributed to the country’s performance were acknowledged, reflecting the collaborative effort behind the nation’s success. The event served as a reminder that Philippine sports achievements are not only a source of pride but also a testament to the dedication, discipline, and resilience of its athletes.

With the SEA Games now concluded, attention turns to upcoming international competitions and the continued development of sports programs aimed at producing world-class Filipino athletes who can compete on the global stage, fueled by the inspiration and example of the heroes celebrated at Intramuros.

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