Who were the Filipino athletes recognized in SONA 2025?

Filipino athletes were recognized in the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on Sunday.

Marcos said these athletes have become models of the youth as he vowed to continue investing in sports programs.

"Dahil sa mga ito, ang ating kabataan ay maagang namumulat sa isports, humuhusay, at tumataas ang kumpiyansa. Sumusunod sila sa yapak ng ating mga kampeon at world-class na athlete: tulad ni Senator Manny Pacquiao, ni Hidilyn Diaz, ni Caloy Yulo, Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, EJ Obiena, Alex Eala; ang paralympians natin na sina Jerrold Mangliwan, Cendy Asusano, Angel Mae Otom, at Ernie Gawilan," he said.

Marcos also jokingly added Philippine National Police chief General Nicolas Torre III in the list of champions after being declared as winner of the match against Davao City acting mayor Sebastian Duterte who did not show up in the charity boxing event. 

He then recognized the Philippine Men's Curling Team, the country's first Asian Winter Games gold medalist.

"Akalain mo nga naman: walang winter dito sa Pilipinas, napatunayan pa rin natin na kaya nating maging kampeon sa Winter Games," he said.

Marcos invited the people to get to know the athletes for what they have achieved for the country.

"Kilalanin natin ang mga atleta na umani ng karangalan para sa Pilipinas. Hindi lamang sila nakapaghatid ng kasiyahan sa buong sambayanan. Pinalakas pa nila ang ating pagmamahal sa bayan, at lalo pang pinatingkad ang dangal ng bawat Pilipino," Marcos said.

Get to know the athletes here:

Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao is boxing's only eight-division champion. Pacquiao fought against Mario Barrios last July 20 which ended in a majority draw. 

Hidilyn Diaz

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is the country's first-ever Olympic gold medalist, which she accomplished in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She also bagged a silver medal in the 2016 edition of the Summer Games.  

Carlos Yulo

Gymnast Carlos Yulo became the country's second Olympic gold medalist as he won two in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Even before the Olympics, however, Yulo had also become a world champion and just last June, became a gold medalist again in the Asian championships.

Aira Villegas

Boxer Aira Villegas joined the country's list of Olympic medalists as she copped a bronze medal in the Paris Summer Games.

Nesthy Petecio

Boxer Nesthy Petecio was also part of the country's historic four-medal haul in the Tokyo Olympics as the boxer bagged silver in the 2021 edition of the Games. In Paris, Petecio managed to cop a bronze, making her a two-time Olympic medalist.

EJ Obiena

Obiena is Asia's best pole vaulter as he currently ranks 5th in the world rankings, and even reached no. 2 in 2023. He is a two-time medalist in the World Championships, an Asian Games gold medalist in 2023, and an Asian champion for three straight years, with the latest one back in May.

Alex Eala

Tennis ace Alex Eala has been on the rise in world tennis lately as she reached a career-high no. 56 in the world rankings last June. Back in March, Eala had a dream run in the Miami Open where she defeated higher-ranked players and Grand Slam champions such as Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys. Eala also became the first Filipino to play in a WTA tour finals last June.

Jerrold Mangliwan

Wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan is a gold medalist in the 2022 Asian Para Games and a six-time gold medalist in several editions of the ASEAN Para Games. He was part of the Philippines’ delegation to the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Cendy Asusano

Para athlete Cendy Asusano has already won seven gold medals in three editions of the ASEAN Para Games. She was part of the Philippines’ delegation to the 2024 Paris Paralympics, competing in the javelin throw.

Angel Otom

Para swimmer Angel Otom also has seven gold medals in two editions of the ASEAN Para Games. She was part of the Philippines’ delegation to the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Ernie Gawilan

Para swimmer Ernie Gawilan is a four-time Asian Para Games gold medalist and has nine golds in different editions of the ASEAN Para Games. He was part of the Philippines’ delegation to the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Philippine Men's Curling Team

Back in February, the Philippine Men's Curling Team made history as it won the country's first Asian Winter Games gold medal in the 2025 edition of the event in Harbin, China.

Marcos also vowed to form a new national sports program and opened the Philippine Sports Commission's ovals for jogging in an effort to promote a healthier lifestyle.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News