Members of Team Philippines during the flag-raising ceremony in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, December 8, 2025. POC MediaMANILA -- A record-breaking delegation -- composed of Olympic veterans, rising stars, and multiple-time medalists -- is all set to represent the Philippines as the 33rd Southeast Asian Games officially start in Thailand.
The opening ceremony is set on Tuesday at the Rajamangala National Stadium.
The Philippines is sending its largest-ever contingent -- estimated at up to 1,600 athletes and officials -- tasked with the goal of surpassing, or at least maintaining, the country's fifth-place ranking in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
"The goal is to match the output in Cambodia," Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino told members of the POC Media Pool in a press conference after the SEA Games Federation Council Meeting at the Grand Four Winds Convention Hotel on Monday.
In 2023, the Philippines finished with a haul of 58 golds, 86 silvers and 116 bronze medals for a fifth-place finish behind Vietnam (136-105-114), Thailand (108-96-108), Indonesia (87-80-109) and Cambodia (81-74-127).
Tolentino, however, cautioned about the combat sports results going Thailand's favor as the host are expected to go all out to dominate the games.
"We're sure about that so I told our athletes in combat sports to go for the knockout, submission or a decisive victory," he said.
READ: POC chief sees uphill battle in SEA Games, eyes matching 2023 medal tally
FLAG-BEARERS
Tennis sensation Alex Eala and volleyball veteran Bryan Bagunas will carry the Philippine flag in the opening ceremony, wherein the 150 members of the Team Philippines are set to wear fashion designer and sports advocate Avel Bacudio's "Laro ng Lahi" collection during the parade of nations.
READ: Alex Eala, Bryan Bagunas named PH's flag-bearers for SEA Games opening
The hosts said King of Thailand Vajiralongkorn will attend the opening ceremony and all local enforcers—from the police to the military to the royal guards—will implement lockdowns, thus limiting the supposedly 300-athlete Philippine representation to the ceremony to 75 percent.
Tolentino also stressed only Filipino athletes will join the march in the opening ceremony set 6 p.m. local time.
The games that drew 12,506 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian nations participating in 574 events in 50 sports, will now be played in two main hubs — Bangkok and Chonburi — instead of three because Songkhla suffered massive flooding in recent weeks.
READ: SEA Games moves 11 sports because of deadly Thailand floods
Among the brightest hopes for Team Philippines is veteran Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo (weightlifting), the two-time Olympic medalist and reigning champion, who will be aiming for another gold in what could be her final SEA Games' appearance.
Weightlifting will take place in the Chonburi cluster – at the Olympic Gymnasium, Chonburi Sports School from December 13 to 17, 2025
Fresh off a breakthrough season that saw her break into the WTA Top 50, Eala is targeting her maiden SEA Games' gold medal in the women's singles event.
The tennis competitions will run for 10 days at the National Tennis Development Centre (LTAT) in Nonthaburi (Bangkok Cluster) until December 19, starting with the men's and women's team events on the 10th.
Also in the spotlight is EJ Obiena (pole vault), the double Olympian, who will be looking to dominate his event where he remains the regional record holder and a world-class competitor.
Spearheaded by Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Eumir Marcial, the seasoned boxing team is once again expected to be a major source of medals, defending the Philippines' status as a regional boxing powerhouse.
All eyes will also be on Gilas Pilipinas as they defend their crown in basketball, where naturalized players, as well as any other player, who obtained the relevant passport after age 16 are not eligible to play.
The Alas Pilipinas men's and women's volleyball teams, along with the softball teams, are also anticipated to put on strong performances.
READ: 14-person Alas Pilipinas Women's team hopes to end SEA Games medal drought
The women's volleyball team begins its campaign on Thursday against the hosts, while the men's squad takes on Myanmar on Saturday at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, Bangkok.
NO YULO
Members of Team Philippines during the flag-raising ceremony in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, December 8, 2025. POC Media
Expectations for Team Philippines were tempered by the host country's decision to remove or limit certain events where Filipino athletes traditionally excel, most notably in cue sports (pool) and the strict single-apparatus limit in individual gymnastics, which forced Paris Olympics' double-gold medalist Carlos Yulo out of the games.
Despite the challenges, officials remain optimistic that the sheer size of the delegation, which includes a focus on exposing young talent from grassroots programs, will create "surprises" and deliver a strong medal haul.
READ: PSC chief believes 'exposure' in SEA Games will pay off in Asiad, Olympics
The Philippines is particularly looking to succeed in martial arts, combat sports, and the new team sports introduced to the program, such as floorball, ice hockey, and ice skating.
While specific details are being kept under wraps to preserve the element of surprise, organizers have consistently highlighted two central pillars for the games – a "Green SEA Games," which aims to promote environmental sustainability, achieve net-zero emissions and set a model for future regional sports events; and the "Unforgettable Thai Culture and Sport" theme, designed to reflect Thailand's rich cultural heritage while showcasing its modern sporting capabilities and position as a key regional hub.
The opening ceremony is expected to feature a blend of famous Thai actors, singers, and athletes—both past champions and rising stars.
International media reports have pointed to the participation of globally recognized figures, including Thai celebrities who have achieved fame abroad, such as K-pop star BamBam (Kunpimook Bhuwakul) of GOT7.
The ceremony will be broadcast live across Southeast Asia, with the hosts looking to make a powerful statement that puts recent organizational difficulties firmly in the past and focuses the region's attention on the 11 days of competition ahead.