TACLOBAN CITY — Filipino marksmen from Ormoc City put the country on the podium after Team Philippines secured the silver medal in the Sporting Clays Competition of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The national team was composed of Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez, along with Carlo Baltonado and Jed Rivilla, all proud sons of Ormoc City, whose strong showing reflected the country’s steady rise in shooting sports.
Their podium finish also highlighted Ormoc’s growing reputation as a breeding ground for elite athletes. The silver medal came amid the city’s strong presence in the biennial regional meet, with 19 Ormoc-based athletes competing across various disciplines from December 9 to 20, 2025.
These athletes are seeing action in fencing, shooting, modern pentathlon, and basketball, carrying the Philippine flag on the Southeast Asian stage.
Ormoc’s impressive showing is anchored on years of disciplined training and sustained grassroots development under the Support to Athletes in Pursuit of Accomplishing Total Life-Changing Opportunities in Sports (S.A.P.A.T.O.S.) Program.
Backed by the Ormoc City local government under the leadership of Rep. Gomez and Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez, the program has focused on athlete development, modern facilities, and long-term sports initiatives.
Often described as a “cradle of champions,” Ormoc City’s comprehensive sports framework has produced athletes who excel locally, nationally, and internationally.
The silver medal finish in Sporting Clays stands as another testament to this vision and to the dedication of Filipino athletes continuing to elevate Philippine sports in the region.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
