In Photos: The Powerful Female Athletes Representing The Philippines At The 2019 SEA Games
Cheers to the women proving the strength and determination of the Filipina for the world to see!
Despite the many aches and pains that the 2019 SEA Games has posed to participating athletes, Philippine athletes are choosing to keep their eyes on the prize: bringing home the gold in as many events as possible, and for a select few, winning a podium spot to secure a place in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
While all Philippine reps are given the opportunity to shine in each of their respective sports, female athletes in particular get a chance to do two things: to win, first and foremost, and secondly—and perhaps more importantly—to prove that women, too, can succeed in a field traditionally associated with their male counterparts.
The sportswomen who braved the challenging journey to become the best of the best in what they do are more than deserving of attention and praise, all of whom have succeeded at being role models for young girls and women who have dreams of becoming just like them one day.
To honor the female athletes and the powerful punches they pack, we've put together a gallery to introduce some of the Filipinas to watch out for at the 2019 SEA Games. Memorize their names, and make sure to cheer for them when it's time!
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Margielyn Didal
Margielyn is a professional skateboarder and rose to fame when she bagged the gold at the 2018 Asian Games. She became one of the first Filipina skaters to be recognized and helped bring recognition to the sport, locally.
Mary Joy Tabal
This athlete made sports history by becoming the first ever Filipina marathon to be qualified for the Olympics. She competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and finished at 124th place.
Bernadeth Pons
Bernadeth has been playing volleyball for as long as she can remember and has won multiple awards over the years as a university varsity team captain, as well as a spiker for professional volleyball teams. At the 2019 SEA Games, she'll be wowing audiences and vying for the gold at the beach volleyball event.
Sisi Rondina
Born in Cebu, Sisi initially looked like she had a future in track and field. It was only when she was discovered by a college recruitment committee that she began dabbling in volleyball and has since been a master of the sport; she has five MVP titles under her belt and is currently team captain of her university varsity volleyball team.
Kim Kilgroe
This model-turned-athlete just about defines "fitness goals." Though she didn't always have dreams of becoming a professional triathlete, Kim began her sporting career with endurance training a few years ago and eventually went on to become a gold medalist in the sport.
Sylvia Tudoc
Those who think women can thrive in a sport like rugby clearly haven't met Sylvia. She's a member of the Lady Volcanoes and an excellent one at that, being granted a Rugby scholarship from New Zealand's Rugby training academy, Inside Running.
Andrea Robles
In her first Asia Cup archery competition, she won the gold. It wouldn't be her only accomplishment in her chosen field, either; Andrea has eventually gone on to place in other international competitions in Asia, while then earning her university degree. Being young was never a hurdle for her but rather, an opportunity to do more and learn more at an early start.
Clarice Patrimonio
It runs in the family for tennis player Clarice, whose love affair with the sport started when she was just 8 years old. Her father, Alvin Patrimonio, is a recognizable name in the basketball circuit but with own talent and hard work has made a name for herself on her own.
Danica Jose
Baller Danica proves that if basketball in your blood, it's there for good. The athlete took a break from competing in the sport on a professional level for four years before Gilas scouted her and invited her back on the team. This year, she not only returns to the sport, but is representing the country in one of the most prestigious leagues in the region as well.
Shieldannah Sabio
Gymnastics has received tons of attention as of late for Philippine gymnasts' recent achievements in the sport. Here to further promote it and to show just how good a fit Filipinos can be with gymnastics is the young Dannah, a young gymnast who's already had her fair share of competing abroad and winning medals.
Alisson Perticheto
Alisson has represented both the Philippines and Switzerland in her career as young, and successful, career as a budding figure skater. The 22-year-old has impressive titles under her belt, including 2014 Philippines national champion, silver medalist at the 2015 Skate Helena competition, and the overall champ at the 2017 Egna Spring Trophy.
Royevel Palma
It wouldn't have been possible for the Philippines to win its very first Senior League Softball World Series title without Royevel last year. Still a teenager, she's become wildly successful at the sport and has shown great promise that she's since been awarded a softball scholarship and has become a member of a myriad of other national and regional teams that play against other softball players in the international arena.
Josie Gabuco
Don't underestimate Josie; she's the Philippines' female light-fly boxer at the 2019 SEA Games, and she's had a wealth of experience in the ring both locally and internationally to practice her punches and grow her confidence.
Cathrine Graversen
Though Cathrine divides her time between playing football in Denmark and the Philippines, this year, she's chosen to represent her Asian home base as a proud member of the Philippine National Team. So far, she and her teammates managed a 0-0 draw against Myanmar in their first match held recently.
Veronica Garces
Taekwando medalist Veronica has had 13 registered fights so far, according to taekwandodata.com. She's also participated in seven tournaments to date, with the 2019 SEA Games being her biggest competition in her young career.
Get to know more of the female athletes representing the Philippines in this full list provided by the 2019 SEA Games!
Photos from @margielyndidal @maryjoytabalofficial @ponsbernadeth @cherryann.rodina @dzigervacio @kimkilgroe @drearobles @sylrivatudoc @claricepatrimonio @danicaj18 @dannahmber123 @alisson.krystle @royevelpalma @josie_anape_gabuco @cathrinebuccat @nica.garces
