Filipinos rally to Support Filipino Athletes Beyond Wins with "Galing ay Ilabas, Galing ng Pilipinas" chant

The South East Asian (SEA) Games returns to its birthplace this year as it celebrates its 33rd anniversary. The event is in full swing in Thailand, and along with this outing are some highlights that set it apart from previous years.

The Games are set in multiple cities, Bangkok and Chonburi, to showcase the country’s urban and regional strengths while accommodating over 13,000 athletes, a record for Asia’s biggest sporting event. Spectators will also be witnessing games that are debuting this year, such as mixed martial arts, drone racing, and teqball.

The first SEA Games to operate under a new charter, the 2025 SEA Games features 40 sports, which are included in the Olympics or Asian Games. This effort aims to raise the competitive standards of the region.

In an initiative to embrace environmental sustainability in sports, this year’s Games also support eco-friendly practices such as the use of electric vehicles for athlete transport, creating medals from recycled materials, and reducing single-use plastics through water stations.

The Philippines set a milestone of its own for the 2025 SEA Games, sending its largest-ever contingent of almost 1,200 athletes. Feats have already been set by some of them, such as the youngest Filipino gold medalist in SEA Games history for 11-year-old skateboarder Mazel Paris Alegado, and the first-ever gold for the judo mixed team.

Achievements like this are never earned by athletes alone. Behind every medal is a word of encouragement, an inspiring push, or a heartfelt cheer. Recognizing the impact of collective support for our competitors, MILO^® led a campaign to rally behind our athletes even before their triumphs through a national chant.

“Galing ay Ilabas, Galing ng Pilipinas!” is the punchy battle cry crafted to represent not only the skill, but also the heart of every Filipino athlete. The chant was brought to life with vibrant rhythm and dynamic choreography by the UP Varsity Pep Drummers and UP Pep Squad.

In the days leading to the SEA Games, key influencers from the MILO^® community sang along and gave their own rendition of the chant. They posted on their social media pages, inviting the country to lend our athletes the support that they need and deserve.

To seal its fitting tribute to our athletes, MILO^® released a full-length song inspired by the “Galing ay Ilabas, Galing ng Pilipinas” chant. Singer-songwriter Rico Blanco spearheaded this mission, with a montage featuring brand partners, athletes, and everyday Filipinos who have taken part in the movement by sharing their own chant versions.

The 2025 SEA Games is truly one for the books – marked not only by milestones or historic firsts, but more importantly, by a nation’s strong support for its athletes.

You too can join the movement for our competitors! The #GalingNgPilipinas filter on TikTok is still available. Cheer for them during the last few days of the SEA Games and beyond.

For more updates, follow MILO^® Philippines on Facebook.