President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, January 21, led a homecoming celebration organized by the government to honor Filipino athletes who competed in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

The event was held at the Foro de Intramuros in Manila, where the President led the awarding ceremony and expressed gratitude to the athletes for bringing pride and honor to the country.

Filipino athletes won a total of 277 medals in the recently concluded SEA Games, including 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals. The Philippines placed sixth overall in the final medal standings.

Under the law, gold medalists in the SEA Games are entitled to receive ₱300,000 each, silver medalists ₱150,000, and bronze medalists ₱60,000. These amounts are in addition to the corresponding cash incentives granted under Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act.

The Office of the President also granted an additional ₱10,000 to athletes who won medals in other competitions outside the SEA Games.

President Marcos assured continued government support for athletes and the development of future generations of Filipino sportsmen and women.

“Nawa ay marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang tumahak sa katulad na landas na inyong inilakbay. Kaya isinusulong ng pamahalaan ang pagangat ng kalidad ng sports development sa ating bansa,” the President said.

“Pinapalawak natin ang grassroots and new sports program, dinadagdagan natin ang mga kinakailangang pasilidad at mas pinapalakas pa natin ang suporta sa mga atletang lumalahok sa pandaigdigang entablado,” he added.

More than 1,100 athlete-delegates represented the Philippines in the 33rd SEA Games.

Also present at the event were PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino.