Golden year

The year 2025 will be remembered not only for the medals won but also as the time when the Philippines cemented its status as a global sports tourism powerhouse.

It was a year of strategic leadership, world-class hosting, and the steady rise of a new generation of sports icons who refused to be intimidated by the bright lights of the international stage.

At the heart of that transformation was the appointment of Patrick “Pato” Gregorio as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission last July.

A titan in the hospitality industry before becoming a sports administrator, Gregorio proved to be a perfect fit for Philippine sports as the country pivoted toward becoming a haven for major international sporting events.

With Gregorio at the helm, the Philippines successfully hosted three major international tournaments — the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, and the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships — drawing praise from international sports leaders.

These events did not merely fill hotel rooms. They also gave the global sports community a firsthand glimpse of Filipino hospitality. Through sports tourism, the PSC tapped into a vital economic engine that showcased the country and its people to thousands of international delegates and millions of viewers worldwide.

But Philippine sports’ golden year did not end there. On the field of play, Filipino athletes made their presence felt. The most heartwarming story belonged to Alex Eala, who came fully into her own in the closing year, delivering breakthrough performances from Miami to Guadalajara and Bangkok.

From being labeled a “promising junior,” the 20-year-old Eala enjoyed a breakout run at the Miami Open, posting victories over former Grand Slam champions en route to the semifinals. She then captured her first Women’s Tennis Association title at the Guadalajara Open before capping the year with a gold medal in women’s singles at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, ending a 26-year title drought.

Eala finished the season ranked No. 53 in the world, the highest ever achieved by a Filipino tennis player.

While Eala turned heads, the veterans showed no signs of slowing down. Ernest John Obiena reasserted his dominance in the region with a record-breaking 5.70-meter vault, securing his fourth consecutive SEA Games gold medal.

Carlos Yulo, despite restrictive SEA Games rules limiting his apparatus entries, remained the gold standard of Philippine gymnastics by winning gold in vault at the 2025 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta.

Eumir Marcial, balancing a professional career and national duties, also delivered, dominating the light-heavyweight division to claim SEA Games gold.

Gilas Pilipinas, both men and women, likewise rose to the occasion, overcoming hostile crowds to retain gold medals in basketball at the biennial meet.

As the country looks toward 2026, the blueprint is clear. With strong leadership and a focused strategy on hosting global events, Filipinos are no longer minnows on the international stage.

It was truly a banner year for Philippine sports, and the golden harvest of 2025 is only the beginning.