Manila, Philippines, June 12, 2022: The Commanding General Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., feted Army athletes who represented the country in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in a simple awarding ceremony at the Philippine Army Officers Club Pavilion, Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila on June 9, 2022.
Army athletes bagged a total of 17 medals to help propel the Philippines to fourth place in the 31st SEA Games overall ranking in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Philippines reaped a total of 226 medals comprised of 52 gold, 70 silver and 104 bronze medals finishing behind host country Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia in the 11-nation biennial regional sports fest.
The Philippine Army contingent’s medal haul is bannered by the victory of Gilas Pilipinas Women - including Private First Class Janine Pontejos and Private First Class Chack Cabinbin - in women’s basketball.
The PA contingent also won five silver medals and 10 bronze medals in lawn tennis, beach volleyball, chess, wrestling, sepak takraw, rowing, hurdles and kurash.
Lt. Gen. Brawner lauded the Philippine Army’s 31st SEA Games contingent for fulfilling their duties as soldiers and as athletes.
“Being selected to represent the country in an international competition such as the recently concluded 31st SEA Games is already a great honor. But you, the men and women of the Philippine Army, went above and beyond and proved that you go there not just to participate and compete but to win,” the Army Chief said.
Winning athletes are set to receive cash incentives under the National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act which rewards P300,000 (6,000 USD) for each individual gold medal; P150,000 (3,000 USD) for silver; and P60,000 (1,200 USD) for bronze.