TACLOBAN CITY — Athletes from Ormoc City played a key role in Team Philippines’ campaign at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand, contributing nine medals to the country’s overall haul at the biennial regional meet.
The Ormoc-based athletes, competing under the Eastern Visayas banner, won three gold, three silver, and three bronze medals, with standout performances in modern pentathlon, fencing, and shooting events.
Gold medals were captured by Melvin Sacay in the men’s laser run, Michael Ver Comaling in the men’s triathlete (swim–laser run), and Samuel German in the men’s obstacle laser run, all in modern pentathlon disciplines.
Silver medals were earned by Princess Arbilon in the women’s laser run, Shyra Arnanzado in the women’s triathlete, and the Philippine team in sporting clays and compak sporting shotgun, composed of Carlo Baltonado, Jakey Ancheta, He’s Rivilla, and Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez.
Ormoc athletes also secured bronze medals through Juliana Sevilla in the women’s obstacle laser run, the women’s team épée fencing squad composed of Alexa Larazabal, Juliana Gomez, and Ivy Claire Dinoy, and the sporting clays team of Baltonado, Gomez, and Ancheta.
The strong medal showing highlighted Ormoc City’s growing prominence in elite sports, particularly in modern pentathlon, fencing, and shooting, where local athletes have consistently figured in national and international competitions.
Overall, Team Philippines finished the 2025 SEA Games with 277 medals, placing sixth among the 10 participating nations, behind Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. The national tally included 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals—surpassing the country’s medal output in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
Philippine athletes won medals across a wide range of sports, including swimming, athletics, tennis, basketball, baseball, and various combat and precision events.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
