PASAY CITY, Philippines — Senator Mark Villar is urging the government to maintain continuous backing for Filipino athletes following the nation’s strongest Asian Games performance in 60 years at the 2026 Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Philippine contingent secured 29 medals overall—comprising four golds, nine silvers, and 16 bronzes—a feat Villar praised as clear evidence of the nation’s athletic capabilities.
“Ang 29-medal haul ng ating mga atleta ay patunay na napakalaki ng potensyal ng Pilipino sa sports. Congratulations sa ating mga atleta—isa kayong inspirasyon sa ating kabataan,” Villar said.
Gymnast Carlos Edriel “Caloy” Yulo spearheaded the gold rush by dominating both the men’s vault and floor exercise events. Pole vaulter EJ Obiena successfully defended his crown while setting a new Asian Games record of 5.91 meters, while Jeus Gabriel Yape claimed top honors in mixed individual virtual taekwondo.
Silver medals were captured by the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 basketball squad, the women’s sepak takraw team, alongside individual medalists Carlo Paalam, Kurt Bryan Barbosa, Tachiana Keizha Mangin, Juliana Mykhail Candelaria, Luz Alexandra Enriquez, Jean Claude Saclag, and Marie June Adriano.
The nation’s 16 bronze medals spanned a wide range of sports, including tennis, gymnastics, weightlifting, athletics, beach volleyball, e-sports, jiu-jitsu, karate, MMA, sepak takraw, soft tennis, skateboarding, and taekwondo.
Villar noted that these diverse achievements highlight the capability of Filipino athletes to excel across multiple sports when given proper preparation and continuous support.
To establish permanent structural backing, Villar highlighted Senate Bill No. 2531, or the proposed “Roadmap for Sports Excellence Act,” which aims to set up a 20-year national framework for athletic development.
The proposed measure directs the Philippine Sports Commission, alongside the Philippine Olympic Committee and the National Academy for Sports, to create a comprehensive plan supporting athletes from grassroots scouting up to international elite competitions. It would also mandate National Sports Associations to construct long-term programs for their respective sports and streamline talent identification through local and national meets.
Beyond physical training, the bill addresses holistic support for sports personnel, covering academic grants, sports science, medical care, proper nutrition, modern facilities, athlete welfare, financial incentives, and private sector partnerships.
The lawmaker stressed that the country’s Asian Games triumph should be used as a springboard to build a stronger pipeline for upcoming talent rather than remaining a momentary celebration.
“Ipinagdiriwang natin ang tagumpay ng ating mga atleta ngayon, habang patuloy din nating inihahanda ang mga kampeon ng bukas. Ang 20-year Sports Excellence Roadmap ay hakbang tungo sa isang sistemang tuloy-tuloy na huhubog ng talento, magbibigay ng oportunidad at magpapalakas sa ating mga Pinoy athletes,” Villar said.
Looking ahead, Villar emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the momentum built in Aichi-Nagoya as the country prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.