Cordillerans made big contribution of PH's gold haul in SEA Games 2019

Photo Courtesy || ONE, PIA, Athletes FB

Cordillera - Athletes from the Cordillera had made significant contributions in the 30th South East Asian Games held in the Philippines. 

The Cordilleran athletes collected 18 gold medals, 12 silvers medals and 8 bronze medals which hugely contributed to the overall Philippine tally of 149-117-121 medals. 

Here are the names of Cordilleran medalists.

GOLDS MEDALISTS:

Michael Angelo Marquez  

Stephanie Sabalo

Abegail Abad

Crismanuel Delfin

Elmer Manlapas

Nesthy Petecio

Gina Iniong

Jean Claude Saclag

Jerry Olsim

Estie Gay Liwanen

Ariel Lee Lampacan

Jerome Calica

Sandi Abahan Menchi

Mark Striegl

Jeordan Dominguez

Kurt Bryan Barbosa

Jason Baucas

Divine Wally

SILVER MEDALISTS:

Michael Angelo Marquez  

Stephanie Sabalo

Jones Llabres Inso

Billy Joel Valenzuela

Aira Villega

Jomar Balangui

Renalyn Dacquel

Iredin Lepatan

Islay Erika Bomogao

Jenelyn Olsim

Rusha Mae Bayacsan

Jason Balabal

Minalyn Foy-os

Gideon Padua

BRONZE MEDALISTS: 

Jones Llabres Inso

Eza Rai Yalong

Helen Dawa

Karol Maguide

Alexis Mayag-as

Helen Aclopen

Jedd Andre Kim

Mariane Mariano

Daniel Parantac

Thorton Sayan

Gold medals, mostly all came from combat sports such as arnis, wushu, kickboxing, muay thai, wrestling.

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Igorot gold medalist CriSamuel Delfin receives special award from SMC/Philippine Sportswriter Association

Photo Courtesy || ChriSamuel Delfin

Cordillera - Igorot medalist CriSamuel Delfin from Benguet was among the 149 gold medalists who won in the Southeast Asian Games 2019 receives special citation award from San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sportwriter Association. 

Watch Delfin performance during the SEAG 2019. 

Delfin, a native of Bokod, Benguet won gold medal in Men's Anyo Open Weapon Non-Traditional during the SEA Games 2019 held in the Clark, Pampanga. 

The 2020 San Miguel Corporation (SMC) - Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards was an annual awarding ceremony honoring the individuals (athletes, coaches and officials) and organizations that made a significant impact to Philippine sports in 2019, which was led by the medalists of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games hosted by the country.

The event is organized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association under the leadership of Eriberto "Tito" S. Talao (Sports Editor of the Manila Bulletin). 

The PSA is the oldest Philippine-based media organization, which is founded in 1949, and made up of veteran and seasoned sports scribes, section editors and columnists from print media (broadsheets and tabloids), sports news websites and social media platforms.

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Cordilleran SEAG gold medalist Jason Baucas' Success Story

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas

Cordillera - This is the story of Igorot wrestler Jason Baucas who won the gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Greco-Wrestling competition. 

Baucas was the only Filipino wrestler who successfully brought the country's first gold medal in wrestling. 

The 21-year old Igorot wrestler is a member of the Wrestling Federation of the Philippines. He graduated Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports from the Universidad de Manila. He traces his root in Nabalicong, Buguias, Benguet.

Here is his story:

"When I was young, I walked on a muddy and rocky road every day to school. I was okay with it because I really wanted to study. But after my graduation in elementary my mother told me to stop schooling for a while. She said we didn't have enough money during that time. I felt sad that day. At the store of my cousin where I helped out, he noticed I was unhappy. When he learned the reason why, he told me that if I really wanted to go to school that much he will be the one to support me first. In my second year, my parents were already able to provide for me. 

"I was introduced to wrestling in high school in 2011. At first, I was into boxing. But when I experienced wrestling, I like it right away. Wrestling is a sport where I use my bare hands, the strength of my body and will to prevail. Every time I wrestle, I feel inside me the power of my ancestors who fought bravely against those who wanted to take away our land and change our ways.

I had to go down to Manila the next day after my high school graduation to start my training as a member of the junior team of the Wrestling Federation of the Philippines. I am a 'product' of the Batang Pinoy 2012. In order for me to be able to train and study at the same time, I took a scholarship test given by the city of Manila to support myself. I passed and was accepted at the Universidad de Manila which is near the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex where I train and stay.

I miss home a lot. I miss hearing the gentle flow of the river, the whisper of the wind, and the singing birds. I miss seeing the tall tress on top of the majestic mountains, the green fields in the hillsides and the valleys where I used to play. I miss my beloved family.

I am glad that wrestling being one of the toughest and oldest of sports gave me the discipline to persevere. I have to make sacrifices for me to fulfill my dreams for myself and my family. I am also confident that through wrestling I will be able to keep my culture alive in honor of my noble forefathers who protected it for centuries."

By Jason Baucas via One People One Benguet 

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Philippine Senate honors PH national kickboxing team

Photo Courtesy || Senator Francis Tolentino

Cordillera - Philippine national kickboxing gold medalists from Team Lakay shared some photo moments with lawmakers as a show of appreciation for the team that contributed in the country's historic SEA Games medal haul on Wednesday. 

The Philippine kickboxing team delivered five medals (3 golds, 2 silvers and 1 bronze) in the 30th Southeast Asian Games kickboxing at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. 

ONE Championship Atomweight contender Gina Iniong dominated the women's 55kg kick light category against Thailand's Apichaya Mingkhwan to win the gold. 

Jean Claude Saclag, on the other hand, outstruck Mohammed Mahmoud of Malaysia in the 63kg full contact to bag the gold. 

Prior to Iniong and Saclag impressive win was Jerry Olsim who  delivered the first gold medal for the Philippine kickboxing team. 

Olsim beat Thailand's Sarayut Klinming in the 69kg kick light finals. 

Their compatriots Jomar Balangui and Renalyn Dacquel settled for the silver medal, and Karl Manguide for the Bronze. 

Senator Bong Go, in a privilege speech on Monday said President Duterte will give incentives to and confer the Lapu Lapu award to all athletes who will win medals in the 30th SEA Games. 

"Bibigyan niya po ng Lapu Lapu award ang lahat po ng gold medalists, silver medalists at bronze medalists. Bibigyan niya ng parangal sa December 18 Miyerkules," Senator Go said.

Under the RA 10699, gold, silver and bronze medalists in the SEA Games are entitled to receive P300,000, P150,000 and P60,000, respectively.

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Philippines pride Gina Iniong clinches gold in SEA Games Women's Kickboxing

Photo Courtesy || Gina Iniong

Cordillera - Sacrifices and hard works paid off for Filipino pride Gina Iniong as she bagged the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games 2019. 

The hard-hitting Iniong of Team Lakay dominated the women's kickboxing under 55kg kick light category beating Thailand's Apichaya Mingkhwan, 3-0, on Tuesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. 

Iniong, who fights in ONE Championship Atomweight division was seen dominant all over three rounds of the game. 

The Thai took punishment from the Filipina veteran with flurry of punches and kicks in the first round. 

In the 2nd and 3rd round, Iniong showed greater dominance at she floored the Thai several times denying the later to score. 

Iniong was new to kickboxing but put a lot of training under the careful watch of Mark Sangiao and her team mates at Team Lakay. 

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Igorot arnisador ChrisSamuel Delfin wins gold Men's Anyo Non-traditional Arnis in the 30th SEA Games

Photo Courtesy || CriSamuel Delfin

Cordillera - Arnis gold medalist ChriSamuel Delfin from Benguet  almost got disqualified from performing in the Arnis competition due to wearing the Igorot traditional bahag without an underwear.

Delfin wanted to wear the bahag without an underwear because being an Igorot, it is an insult to wear brief of something under the bahag.

"He is a proud Igorot and he is proud of his lineage. We had some problems because he wanted to wear his bahag without any brief," Senator Mig Zubiri said in a TV interview.

"Delfin didn't want because he said as an Igorot, it is an insult to wear a brief or something under the bahag," Zubiri added.

The International technical officials initially said that Delfin can not perform due to his attire, saying his wardrobe could malfunction during the live broadcast. 

However, after talking with their coaches, they have agreed not to disqualify Delfin instead allowed him to perform with a string undergarment under his bahag.

The judges knew that Delfin is a talented kid and had prepared for this event and can bring gold to the country.

Delfin eventually won the gold in Men's Anyo Non-traditional Arnis in the 30th SEA Games hosted by the Philippines. 

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Cordilleran wrestler Jason Baucas delivers 1st wrestling GOLD for the Philippines

Update: Cordilleran wrestler Jason Saltin Baucas successfully bring home the gold medal for the Philippines at the 2019 SEAG on Monday (9 December 2019) held at Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga.

Baucas easily dethroned Hung Phoc Duong of Vietnam with a score of 11-6 in the men's Greco-wrestling 72Kg category.

This is the first time the Philippines had brought home gold in wrestling. 

Congratulations Jason!

Cordillera - A young Igorot wrestler is in full preparation for the upcoming wrestling competition for the 30th Manila SEA GAMES.

21 year-old Jason Baucas from Benguet is the only representative of the Philippines wrestling team to compete in the 72 kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling. 

Greco-Roman is a style of wrestling that is being practiced worldwide and became part of the Olympic sport. This style of wrestling forbids hold below the waist compared from freestyle wrestling.

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas FB

Baucas had been one of the country's medal sources in the wrestling event in the ASEAN region and in Asia in the past years.

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In 2016, he took home bronze medal in the 2016 Southeast Asian Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championship in Thailand and he ranked 8th at the Asian Junior 2016.

He also won bronze in the 2014 South East Asia Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championships, bronze in the 2015 SEA Senior Wrestling Championship and a gold medal in the 2015 South East Asia Junior and Cadets Wrestling Championships. 

Photo Courtesy || Jason Baucas FB

Bauces was honored for being Benguet's pride in wrestling in 2016. 

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This year, he is motivated to keep moving and continue training to be able to take home medal in the upcoming SEA Games. 

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Igorot and Ilongo Muay Thai duo bag Gold medal in stunning Wai Kru & Mai performance

Photo Courtesy || PTV

Cordillera -  Former Igorot wushu champion and seasoned stuntman Jeorome Calica with his neophyte partner Joemar Gallaza of Iloilo delivered a stunning Wai Kru and Mai performance leading them to bring home the gold medal on Wednesday. 

The Muay Thai duo shows off new techniques and stunts on their Thai boxing dance ritual during the 30th Southeast Asian Games held in Subic, Zambales. 

Calica believed that their tricks and stunts gave them an advantage over the other performers. The judges gave them a final score of 9.61. 

"I think aside from power and technique execution, we impressed the judges by our tricks and stunts," Calica said.

The two also acknowledged their 40-day training in Thailand to be a contributing factor of their big victory.

Calica works as a stuntman in many action movies since his last SEAG stint 18 years ago. 

In 2001, he won his first SEA Game gold medal in wushu. 

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Eduard Folayang's cousin Divine Wally snatches GOLD in Wushu Sanda at the 30th SEA GAMES

Photo Courtesy || Divine Masadao Wally

Cordillera - Cordilleran female Wushu athlete grabs another gold medal for the Philippines team in the ongoing 30th Southeast Asian Games. 

Divine Masadao Wally outpoints Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Chin to win the most coveted gold medal in the 48 kilograms Wushu Sanda event today December 3, 2019.

Divine is from Sadanga, Mountain Province and she is a cousin of Mixed Martial Art legend Eduard Folayang. 

In 2018, Divine took home the bronze medal in the 9th Sanda World Cup held in China and also the bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. 

Divine is known to be one of the most dependable female Wushu-Sanda athletes in Southeast Asia. 

She is also the first female member of the Philippine Wushe Team to win the World Wushu Championship in 2015 and 8th Sanda World Cup in 2016. 

Congratulations!

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Crisamuel Delfin from Benguet wins Gold in Men's Anyo Non-traditional Arnis in the 30th SEA Games

Photo Courtesy || Crisamuel Delfin

Cordillera - Another athlete from Cordillera added gold for the Philippine team Tuesday in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Crisamuel Delfin from Benguet won the gold medal in the men's anyo non traditional arnis in the 30th SEA GAMES 2019 held at Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga on December 3, 2019.

His compatriot Mary Aldeguer also won in the women's event. 

Delfin and Aldeguer advanced the Philippines' gold medal tally in arnis to 14 medals. 

Delfin wears the traditional Cordillera warrior attire during his performance. 

Arnis is considered to be the Philippine National sport and one of the most medal rich event in the SEA Games. 

This sport emphasizes weapon based fighting which is done using knives, bladed weapons, sticks and various improvised weapon. 

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Abegail Dulawan Abad of Baguio City bags gold in SEA Games arnis competition

Photo Courtesy || Abegail Dulawan Abad FB

Cordillera - Baguio young lady Abegail Dulawan Abad wins gold medal in the Padded Stick Welterweight-Women's Division in the Southeast Asian Games Arnis Competition.

The 30th SEA Games 2019 Arnis Competition was held at the Angeles University Foundation, Pampanga, on December 2, 2019. 

Abegail joined other women who competed in Arnis and won gold medals as well. 

They are Sheena Del Monte in the Bantamweight Division, Jedah-Mae Soriano in the Featherweight Division and  Ross Ashley Moville in the Lightweight Division. 

Arnis is the national martial art sport of the Philippines also known as Eskrima and Kali.

READ ALSO: 
Jones Inso from La Trinidad, Benguet clinched silver in Wushu at 2019 SEA Games

Ifugao Judoka figther Estie Gay Liwanen won gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games

This sport emphasizes weapon based fighting which is done using knives, bladed weapons, sticks and various improvised weapon according to wikipedia.

As of now, the Philippines has bagged a total of 60 medals, 31 golds, 19 silvers and 10 bronze medals. 

Congratulations!

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Jones Inso from La Trinidad, Benguet clinched silver in Wushu at 2019 SEA Games

Photo Courtesy || PSC

Cordillera - The Philippines bags another silver medal today in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. 

Jones Inso from La Trinidad, Benguet won silver in the Men's Taijijian event at the World Trade Center with a tallied score of 9. 65. 

Inso took home the 14th Silver medal for the Philippines as today December 2, 2019.

He is behind Loh Choon How of Malaysia who bags the gold medal with score of 9.68. 

The bronze medal was captured by Brunei's Zheng Yu Hosea Wong with a score of 9. 60.

Congratulations!

Photo Courtesy || 2019 SEA Games

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Ifugao Judoka fighter Estie Gay Liwanen won gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games

Photo Courtesy || Ipugawak

Cordillera - Estie Gay Liwanen captured the most coveted gold medal in Kurash sport on the first day of the Southeast Asian Games 2019 held at the LausGroup Event Centre, Pampanga.

Liwanen from Pidongan, Kiangan, Ifugao had added gold to the Philippine medal tally at the SEA Games on December 1, 2019. 

Liwanen competed in the female 63kg category of the event and won against Vietnam and Thailand. 

READ ALSO: 

Jones Inso from La Trinidad, Benguet clinched silver in Wushu at 2019 SEA Games

Abegail Dulawan Abad of Baguio City bags gold in SEA Games arnis competition

Kurash is another variant of a folk wrestling styles practiced in Central Asia. It comes from the term for "wrestling" in some Turkik language. 

Kurash wrestlers use towels to hold their opponents, and their goal is to throw their opponents off the feet.

Winning the gold by Liwanen is the first gold ever clinched by a Cordilleran athlete in this year hosting of the biennial sport event by the Philippines. 

Congratulations!

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Kalinga, Bagobo, Maguindanao "Power" dance is a showcase of culture many Filipinos know little about

Photo Courtesy || Floy Quintos

Cordillera - The inclusion of indigenous dances during the opening ceremony of the 30th SEA GAMES "serves as a reminder of good old Pinoy energy, and a reminder of the enduring nobility of our marginalized brothers and sisters and their current struggle for survival", says Floi Quintos, the creative director behind the dance.

Quintos shared on his Facebook page the motivation and inspiration that drove him to do and direct the spectacular performance. 

"One answer is that we saw the SEA GAMES Opening Ceremony as a chance to showcase aspects of our culture that many modern Filipinos know little about or take for granted, buried under our own divisive neglect and lack of concern," Quintos wrote. 

The series of "Power" dances called "Ugat ng Ating Lakas/The Roots of our Strength featured indigenous dances from the Bagobo, the Kalinga, the Maguindanao and the pre-hispanic Bisayans. 

"To my mind, these choices pay homage to the most marginalized and neglected of our Indigenous peoples: the Lumad of highland Mindanao, the Maranao and their great ruined city of Marawi, the Kalinga who fought for their ancestral lands," Quintos said. 

Thousands  Filipino and foreign spectators inside the world's biggest indoor stadium have witnessed the amazing display of pure talent and skills from Filipino performers.

WATCH VIDEO: Cordillera ethnic dance on stage at the SEA Games opening ceremony

"In the joyful, intentionally mis-matched costumes of a hundred hiphop dancers of all genders and body types. There will be no special effects, no fabulous, hitherto unseen technological stage wizardry. Just good old Pinoy energy, talent and joy. The very things we return to. The very qualities that enable us to survive," Quintos added.

Meanwhile the Office of the President congratulates the organizers, performers, volunteers, and everyone behind the spectacular event. 

"Once again, the Filipino nation rose to the challenge and exhibited before the world the cultural genius of the Filipino and the best of Filipino talent giving world-class performances of our singers and dancers with impressive stage design and production, including lighting ceremony, as well as the mesmerizing fireworks display," it the Office of the Spokesperson FB page reads.

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Cordillera ethnic dance on stage at the SEA Games opening ceremony

Photo Courtesy || SEA Games

Cordillera - The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 opening ceremony began with a series of spectacular performances from different ethnic groups in the country. 

Among them was the combat dance of the Bontoc, Ifugao and the Kalinga of Cordillera. 

The opening ceremony was one of the highlights of the SEA games and one of the things many Filipinos are excited to watch. 

Held at the Philippine Arena, the biggest indoor stadium in the world on November 30, the opening ceremony includes a line-up of performance from the country's top performers and singers like KZ Tandingan, Apl.de.ap, Aicelle Santos and Lani Misalucha.

READ ALSO: 

Igorot Muay Thai Champion going for gold in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games 2019 

Igorot wrestler to represent Philippines in the 30th Manila SEA Games

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte attended the opening ceremony together with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah whom he had a bilateral meeting earlier today. 

RELATED: Kalinga, Bagobo, Maguindanao "Power" dance is a showcase of culture many Filipinos know little about

The Philippines hopes to achieve a "historic milestone" in hosting the 30th edition of the bienniel sporting event in Southeast Asia. 

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Igorot Muay Thai Champion going for gold in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games 2019

Photo Courtesy || Bryan Scott Vincent Olod FB

Cordillera - Cordilleran pride and IFMA World Champion Lee Ariel Lampacan is going for the gold in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games 2019. 

The 29-year old Lampacan of Baguio City and Itogon, Benguet became a world champion when he took the Gold in the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur-World Championship in Cancun, Mexico last year. 

He was the only gold medalist among Filipino fighters in that event.

From a humble miner to a world champion, Lampacan is set to compete in the SEA Games in Manila along with other Filipino boxing athletes. 

Lampacan become a multi-national Medalist under coach Billy Alumno who is the head coach of MAP National Team. 

In 2017, he won the World Muay Thai Charity Asia bantamweight champions belt in Hong Kong when he defeated the more veteran fighter B Kwok of Hong Kong in the 54 kilograms.

Photo Courtesy || Bryan Scott Vincent Olod FB

The Igorot martial arts' ethics is known to be phenomenal and his dedication is superb. Despite lack of financial support and resources, he managed to find time to train. 

Lampacan has four wins and one loss in his MMA career. 

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Cordilleran wushu star Daniel Parantac to represent Philippines in SEAG 2019

Photo Courtesy || Philippines Sportswriter Association FB

Cordillera - Philippines' wushu star Daniel Parantac will be leading the team of Filipino Wushu-Taulo practioners in the upcoming 30th South East Asian Games (SEAG) 2019 in November 30.

The two-time SEA games gold medalist Parantac has set aside his plan of retirement to join the SEAG 2019 for the last time. 

"Yes that is my last goal. That's my year of retiring," Parantac said during his 2018 Asia Games taijijian performance.

Parantac is hoping that Philippines will get the Gold and want his team to take advantage of the opportunity to train at the venue where the competition will be held.

"If we can train in the actual venue at least two weeks before the competition, it will be good for us. Actually, the earlier, the better," Parantac said during the Philippine Sportwriters Association (PSA) on October 29 at the Amelie Hotel in Manila.

The Wushu game is scheduled to be held from December 1 to 3 at the Philippines International Convention Center (PICC). 

"If we train in the venue two or three days before the competition, that's enough. We need to get used to the surface," he added. 

Parantac has won in various international wushu competitions. He won one gold medal and one silver medal in the 2013 South East Asia Games in Napiyadaw, Myanmar and won gold and two silver medals in the 2015 SEAG held in Singapore. 

Parantac is determined to give all his best to repeat his podium finishes in the past. 

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Igorot lady fighter Jenelyn Olsim among PH athletes eyeing gold medal in 2019 SEA Games

Cordillera - Igorot Muay Thai fighter Jenelyn Olsim together with several Filipino athletes will be part of the Philippine Muay Thai team that are set to showcase their skills and expect to win gold medals on the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games slated from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. 

Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) national coach Preciosa Delarmino said they have high chance of winning the gold and they are already preparing the team for the upcoming event. 

"The MAP is already preparing for the upcoming SEA Games where there are 11 Muay events, Delarmino said during a sport segment hosted by the Tabloid Organization in the Philippines (TOP) at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.

"We have a chance of winning the gold in more than half of the events, especially the women events," she added.

Delarmino was referring to women athletes Rudza Abubakar of Zamboanga in the 45-kg and Jenelyn Olsim of Baguio in the 54-kg division in the combat event. 

She also noted that the tandem of Mariah Trenyce Co and Rusha Mae Tarrate of Baguio is also favored to bag the gold in the wai kru (Thai boxing) event according to Philippine News Agency.

Jenelyn Olsim is a Baguio-based Muay thai fighter. She represented the Philippines in ONE Warrior Series where she, her sibling Jerry and Lito Adiwang came out victorious in Singapore last year. 

Philippines will host this year's Southeast Asian Games to be held at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

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