POC circles key dates in busy 2025 calendar

Filipino athletes are set for a packed 2025 with major international tournaments on the horizon.

Following their success at the Paris Olympics, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) aims for even stronger performances this year.

“We’re aiming to send as many capable and qualified athletes as possible to these games and achieve the best results,” said POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

The POC’s new executive board convened for its first major meeting of the year at the Hai Shin Lou Restaurant in Makati City. Key competitions include the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China (Feb. 7 to 14), the 12th World Games in Chengdu, China (Aug. 7 to 17) and the Third Asian Youth Olympic Games in Bahrain (Oct. 22 to 31). Additionally, Filipino athletes are preparing for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Team Philippines ranked fifth in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, bringing home 58 golds, 85 silvers and 117 bronzes.

Tolentino emphasized the importance of the Harbin Games as a stepping stone toward the Winter Olympics in 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy.

Committee heads

POC officials at the meeting included First Vice President Al Panlilio (basketball), Treasurer Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (surfing) and Auditor Donaldo Caringal (volleyball), among others. International Olympic Committee representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and Athletes Commission representative Jessie Khing Lacuna also attended.

Committee heads were confirmed, including Wharton Chan as Secretary General, Atty. Marcus Andaya for legal matters and Dr. Canlas for medical and antidoping initiatives. The meeting began with a tribute to former Philippine Football Federation Secretary General Atty. Edwin Gastanes, who recently passed on.