The Philippines will be represented by tennis star Alex Eala and Alas Pilipinas volleyball team captain Bryan Bagunas as its official flagbearers at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 9, 2025.
Two of 2025’s Brightest Athletes Tapped as Flagbearers
Their appointment was confirmed by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who emphasized that the two athletes represent the country’s most impactful and inspiring performers this year.
“Popularity aside, Alex and Bryan have made impacts in the global sports community, and that makes them the best choice to carry the flag in the SEA Games,” said Tolentino, reiterating the same sentiment consistently across multiple statements.
He added that athletes who possess exceptional influence, work ethic, and inspirational presence more especially to younger Filipinos, are prioritized when selecting the nation’s flagbearers.
“It’s about the inspirational appeal, the motivation, and hard work that reaps accomplishment that make an athlete or athletes the best choice for the chore,” he explained.
A Historic Rise for Alex Eala
Eala’s rapid ascent in world tennis has made her one of the Philippines’ most prominent athletes.
She concluded her 2025 season with a career-best ranking of No. 50 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), making her the highest-ranked Filipina in history.
Her year was highlighted by multiple breakthrough victories over top-five opponents and becoming the first Filipina to advance beyond the opening round of the US Open women’s singles. She also captured her maiden WTA title earlier in the season at the Guadalajara 125 event.
Returning to the SEA Games after earning three bronze medals in Hanoi three years ago, Eala is widely viewed as a major contender for the women’s singles title.
With only Indonesian world No. 53 Janice Tjen ranking close to her among Southeast Asians, expectations are high that Eala could finally end the Philippines’ gold-medal drought in women’s singles, a feat last achieved by Maricris Fernandez in 1999.
Bagunas Continues to Lead the Charge in Men’s Volleyball
Bagunas enters the SEA Games following a remarkable campaign with the Alas Pilipinas Men’s Team in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship held in Manila.
As team captain, he guided the Filipinos to a historic victory over nine-time African champion Egypt and pushed world top-15 squad Iran to a dramatic five-set showdown that nearly secured a place in the round of 16.
The national team eventually finished with an inspiring 19th-place ranking, the highest in Philippine history.
His leadership and scoring prowess turned him into a symbol of hope for Philippine volleyball, both domestically and internationally. Currently playing professionally for Osaka Bluteon in Japan’s SV. League, Bagunas returns to the SEA Games, aiming to break the decades-long dominance of Indonesia and Thailand in men’s volleyball.
The Philippines last reached the podium in 2019, when Bagunas powered the team to a silver medal after a semifinal win over Thailand.
Preparing a Delegation Amid Challenges
Tolentino confirmed that the Philippines has been allocated a 300-member contingent for the opening parade at Rajamangala National Stadium, though the figure may be reduced to around 200 because of Thailand’s year-long mourning for Queen Sirikit as well as the recent flooding disaster in Songkhla.
Despite these adjustments, the Philippines is expected to send close to 1,700 athletes overall for the Games’ full competition schedule.
This year’s SEA Games includes 574 medal events across 50 sports. Initially planned to be hosted across three provinces, the competitions have since been consolidated into two main hubs, which are Bangkok and Chonburi, after catastrophic flooding forced the removal of Songkhla as a venue.
The POC underscored that navigating these logistical challenges while preparing a delegation of this size has been demanding, but the selection of Eala and Bagunas is seen as a unifying moment for the national team.
Tolentino noted that flagbearers must embody discipline, resilience, and a level of success that inspires the entire delegation.
Symbolic Figures at the Helm
Both athletes have become key figures in Philippine sports. Eala’s trailblazing results on the WTA Tour have reshaped the country’s presence in international tennis, while Bagunas’ growing reputation as the face of men’s volleyball has energized the sport across generations.
Their combined achievements made their selection almost inevitable once discussions began within the POC.
For Tolentino, the pair represents the qualities the nation hopes to bring into the regional Games: ambition, excellence, and a capacity to rise above adversity.
The POC president reaffirmed that the decision was not rooted in popularity alone but anchored in merit and the profound impact both athletes have achieved.
“Athlete or athletes who have the most impact and inspirational appeal, not only to national athletes but also to the Filipino youth, gain the most premium in the selection,” he said.
As the opening ceremony draws closer, excitement is building around how both stars will set the tone for Team Philippines’ campaign.
Their presence at the forefront of the parade is expected to rally the country’s athletes as they enter the competition with renewed confidence and unity.
What This Means for Philippine Sports
The selection of Eala and Bagunas as flagbearers signals a powerful moment for Philippine sports, highlighting a generational shift led by athletes succeeding on the world stage.
Their rise showcases the increasing competitiveness of Filipino athletes internationally and reinforces the importance of investing in talent development.
Their leadership at the SEA Games is expected to elevate national morale and inspire the next wave of young athletes who now see global success as an achievable goal.
