As the 2025 season opener of the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) series is set to take place on January 25 and 26 at the Subic Bay Boardwalk inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Cebu’s very own Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) medalists Andrew Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba are seen as the heavy favorites in their respective categories, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) sports article.
In addition, there are several triathletes from Cebu who will be joining the Subic Bay triathlon across different categories. For the Philippines triathlon team, this event is crucial as it serves as a qualifying race for this year’s SEA Games which will be hosted by Thailand.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the sports news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…
Cebu will be sending a big delegation to the 2025 National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) tournament scheduled Jan. 25 and 26 at Subic Bay Freeport.
Leading the contingent is Andrew Kim Remolino, the defending men’s elite titlist in the competition organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines.
“It’s gonna be a hard race to start the season since everyone’s really getting ready for it,” Remolino said in an interview on Sunday.
“The NAGT is the first qualifying race to get a slot for the SEA (Southeast) Games in Thailand, so for now, we are just preparing for the things we could improve before the race day,” added the 23-year-old who hails from Talisay.
He bagged an aquathlon silver at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.
The Thailand SEA Games is set in December this year.
Remolino won the 2024 NAAT, with an Olympic distance 1.5-kilometer swim, 40K bike and 10K run, in 56 minutes and 56 seconds, beating fellow Cebuano Matthew Justine Hermosa who registered a personal best 56:57 and Baguio City’s Dayshaun Ramos (57:31).
Also back this year is Raven Faith Alcoseba, who clocked 1:03:55 to rule the women’s division over Erika Nicole Burgos of Tanauan, Batangas (1:05:39) and Kira Ellis (1:06:16).
Hermosa, Burgos, Ellis and Iñaki Emil Lorbes bagged the mixed team gold medal at the Cambodia SEA Games.
Other Cebuanos in the lineup are Renz Wynn Corbin (men’s elite); John Michael Lalimos (men’s junior elite); Nicole Marie Del Rosario (women’s elite); Alex Niño Silverio and Cedei Abellana (para triathlon); Zackary Angelo Da Silva and Henry Ezekiel Go (youth male); Christy Ann Perez, Niala Kyrzl Limas and Henia Ethania Go (youth female); John Wayne Ybañez (age group men); Venice Herbias (age group women); Kian Manabat (16-19); Mika Natural (13-15); Zia Angel Da Silva (8-under); Theodore Son and John Luigi Remolino II (9-10); Safficka Son and Zoe Angel Da Silva (11-12); and Althea Arciaga (9-10).
Youth triathletes Euan Arrow Ramos and Eleora Avanzado emerged victorious in the Super Sprint-13-15 contests during the 2nd day of action of the 2024 NTT AST Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone yesterday, according to Triathlon Philippines. The day also saw many age-group triathlon contests as well.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the official release from Triathlon Philippines. Some parts in boldface…
Euan Arrow Ramos and Eleora Avanzado came up with impressive performances to reign supreme in the Super Sprint 13-15 category in the 2024 Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) here on Sunday.
Ramos of Baguio Benget Triathlon clocked 35 minutes and 34 seconds to claim victory in the men’s division in the race held at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Freeport Boardwalk.
Get Coach’D Army bets Peter Sancho Del Rosario (36:42) and Diego Jose Dimayuga (36:58) pocketed the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Avanzado, meanwhile, submitted the best time of 39:26 to capture the gold medal in the women’s division of the event presented by NTT and Asian Triathlon and organized by Triathlon Philippines in cooperation with SBMA.
Christy Ann Perez of TLTG-Go for Gold registered 40:00 to settle for the silver medal while Yvaine Osias secured the bronze medal in 41 minutes and 42 seconds.
The winners are aspiring to represent the country in the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games that will take place in Dakar, Senegal in 2026.
In the Sprint age group, Daniel Cadavos (1:08:25) ruled the men’s 16-19 over Jacob Tan and Peter Jaynario, who both finished the race in 1:09:00.
Podium winners in other categories were John Wayne Ybanez (1:06:33), Daniel Nazarro (1:07:37) and Carlos Santiago Arenas (1:08:40) in the men’s 20-29; Allan Racines (1:19:51), Samuel Ebuen Bada (1:25:03) and Benjamin Asiddao Jr. (1:44:00) in the men’s 30-39; Raffy Dolor (1:17:37), Bryan Lucas (1:19:04) and TJ Rabena (1:25:25) in the men’s 40-49; Dato Arroyo (1:31:46), Diosdado Soriano (1:38:37) and Joey Gatchalian (1:47:43) in the men’s 50-above.
The top three winners in the women’s division were Dhana Victoria Seda-Loboy (1:17:51), Aira Danara Gregorio (1:19:19) and Akyzxa Tangalin (1:25:29) in the 16-19; Anne Geleene De Vera (1:40:16), Manell Queen Aquino (2:29:58) and Paula Patrice (2:45:26) in the 20-29; Yasuko Sato (1:29:34), Eda Maningat (1:38:01) and Chiaki Otsuka (1:39:36) in the 30-39; Alfie Yu (1:45:03), Aubrey Ambata (2:22:16) and Lourdes Alejandro (2:22:47) in the 40-above.
Meanwhile, JB John Piodo (2:27:10) won the gold medal in Standard men’s 18-24 category over Ronald Mendez (2:28:01) and Loyd Allen Bergonio (2:28:38).
Other top three finishers were Julius Constantino (2:19:00), David Gordon (2:38:02) and Ron Eirrol Perez-Mazo (2:38:47) in the men’s 25-29; Deo Timbol (2:12:57), Jemuel Clemente (2:26:22) and Ashley Tuazon (2:40:10) in the men’s 30-34; Luigi Victor Robles (2:18:16), Tranayn Leo Brian Cayabyab (2:27:56) and Angelo Blanco (2:34:41) in the men’s 35-39; Jonathan Arellano (2:25:30), Marlon Cataquis (2:34:56) and Alexander Badajos (2:36:42) in the men’s 40-44; Ricarte Dayata (2:41:00), Marvin Baldemor (2:43:39) and Joffrey Ano (2:44:22) in the men’s 45-49; Philip Bucad (2:35:39), Junrox Roque (2:37:22) and Geron Guanlao (2:39:38) in the men’s 50-54; Emmanuel Mondero (2:31:55), Benjamin Tan (2:51:57) and Ronald Allan Ginez (2:56:52) in the men’s 55-59; and Eduardo Francisco (3:06:44), Thierry Mauranne (3:14:55) and Benjamin Villagracia (3:28:54) in the men’s 60- above.
Champions in the Sprint para-triathlon were Alex Silverio (PT4); Raul Angoluan (PT5); Jerome Nelmida and Al-Shyrel Amiladjid (PTVI); and Steve and Audrey Coleman (SPC).
In the Super Tri-Kids, Bruen Lukas Platz clocked 33:59 to win the boys 11-12 category, beating Joeffrey Fiam Arellano (34:52) and Kurt Evans Cruz (35:10).
Lauren Lee Tan (33:57) topped the girls division while teammate Aliya Nora Adre (34:15) placed third. Alaina Bouffaut (33:58) was second.
The top three finishers in the 9-10 category were Chris Donovan (25:30), Jon David Julian (25:54) and Thomas Mhigel Edangal (26:30) in the boys division, while in the girls division were Mitch Raine Salva (26:10), Lagnajita Bhakat (28:59) and Zoe Angel Da Silva (29:23).
Winners in the 7-8 category were Eli Julian Dela Cruz (21:10), Zavier Prequenza (22:03) and Aleph Ignacio Javier Avellanosa (23:07) in the boys division, while in the girls division were Ami Takei (20:55), Isabelle Georgina Delos Santos (23:54) and Stacey Ailia Aisha Escala (54:40).
Ruan Azriel Santos (11:52) and Jan Cristel Culanag (15:38) dominated in the 6-and-under category.
The SuBIT, which is the longest running Olympic distance triathlon in Asia, is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Asian Center for Insulation, Standard Insurance, Gatorade, Western Guaranty Corp. and Fitbar.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA sports news report. Some parts in boldface…
Australian Luke Bate came up with an impressive performance to win the men’s elite title in the 2024 Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) here on Saturday.
The 25-year-old from Perth submitted the best aggregate timeof 54 minutes and 25 seconds in the race held over 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Freeport Boardwalk.
Compatriot Christopher Deegan posted 54:32 for second place while Japan’s Amu Omuro (54:38) was third.
Australians Rory Thornhill (54:48) and Jack Chrome (55:00) came fourth and fifth, respectively, followed by Japanese Satoshi Iwamoto (55:13), Hokuto Obara, (55:28) and Kenshin Mori (55:34); Korean Kim Jusin (55:41); and Australian Samuel Mileham (55:47).
“I’ve been racing for eight years so I really wanted to win,” said the 6-foot-1 Bate, who resides in Wollongong City.
“It’s my first time in the Philippines, I’m glad I won,” said Bate, currently No. 8 in Australia. “I hope I can come back next year. It depends on my schedule.”
Cebuano Andrew Kim Remolino, who won two silvers in triathlon and one silver in duathlon at the South East Asian (SEA) Games, was the best finisher among the locals. He clocked 56:09 for 13th place, while province mate Matthew Justine Hermosa (56:38) was 16th.
Joshua Ramos of Baguio Benguet Triathlon (56:53) was 19th, and Filipino-Spanish Fernando Jose Casares, a two-time SEAG gold winner, was 23rd with a time of 57:44.
Meanwhile, South Korean Jeong Hye Rimregistered 1:01:22 to secure the women’s title in the event presented by NTT and Asian Triathlon and organized by Triathlon Philippines in cooperation with SBMA.
Iceland’s Edda Hannesdottir (1:01:32) took the silver medal while Australia’s Chloe Bateup (1:01:47) settled for the bronze.
Indonesia’s Martina Ayu Pratiwi (1:02:11) was fourth followed by Japan’s Manami Hayashi (1:02:15), Filipino Raven Faith Alcoseba (1:02:20), Guam’s Manami Iijima (1:02:31), Japan’s Himeka Sato (1:02:38), and South Korea’s Kim Gyuri (1:03:19) and Kim Ji Yeon (1:03:50).
“It’s too hot, (but) except for the weather, I’m okay,” the 25-year-old Jeong said through an interpreter.
Jeong, who hails from Daejon City, was only hoping for a podium finish after placing 20th last year. She first joined in 2018.
“I did not expect to win. It’s been six years since I first joined the tournament, so I am very happy that I won the gold medal,” said Jeong, who pocketed the bronze medal in the junior division of the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico.
Jeong debuted at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games where she won the silver medal in the mixed relay. At the 2022 Hangzhou Asiad, she was seventh in the individual event.
In the junior elite category, the top three finishers in the men’s division were Dayshaun Karl Ramos (1:02:05), Juan Miguel Tayag (1:02:40), and Darell Johnson (1:03:22).
The winners in the women’s division were Naomi Felicity Aytin (1:18:42), Edellaine Mae Diggs (1:18:36), and Maria Celinda Raagas (1:19:05).
To see the official results, click here for the Men’s Elite and click here for the Women’s Elite.
The Cebu-based Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) medalists Andrew Kim Remolino and Raven Fatih Alcoseba outclassed their rivals to win the Sprint Elite titles during the Subic Bay Freeport Zone leg of the 2024 National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) series which was held at the Boardwalk area.
Remolino, who won a silver medal during the 2022 Vietnam SEA Games, won the 750 meter swim – 20 kilometer bike – 5 kilometer run contest in 56 minutes and 56 seconds followed by fellow Cebuano Matthew Justine Hermosa, (56:57) and Joshua Ramos of Baguio Benguet Triathlon (57:31).
“I had a good preparation for this tournament, so I am happy with my performance,” said the 23-year-old Remolino, who placed third behind Fil-Spanish Fernando Casares and Hermosa last year.
Despite his runner-up finish again, Hermosa managed to improve his 57:34 performance last year.
“I’m glad that I was able to set a personal best time. It’s a very close race and I know that Kim is my biggest challenge,” said the 5-foot-11 Hermosa, who together with Kira Ellis, Erika Nicole Burgos and Iñaki Lorbes, won the relay gold medal in aquathlon (500m swim and 2.5km run) at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.
Hermosa, Dayshaun Ramos, Sam Corpuz and Kira Ellis also attended a 26-day training camp at the Rio Maior Sports Center in Portugal last year.
Alcoseba, a 2022 SEA Games medalist, clocked 1:03:55 to secure her third straight women’s title in the tournament organized by Triathlon Philippines headed by Ramon Marchan in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
Erika Nicole Burgos submitted 1:05:39 to capture the silver medal while Kira Ellis took the bronze medal in 1:06:16.
”I tried to keep a positive attitude throughout the race. I’m happy to win again,” said the 21-year-old Alcoseba, a 3rd year civil engineering student at the De La Salle University.
Meanwhile, Dayshaun Ramos clocked 58 minutes and 44 seconds to pocket the gold medal in the men’s junior elite category. Darell Johnson Bada got the silver medal in 1:00:11 and Juan Miguel Tayag secured the bronze medal in 1:01:14.
Singaporean Janelle Susatra (1:07:17) won the women’s title over Erin Denise Burgos (1:16:33) and Adrian Ungos (1:19:53).
The winners in the standard distance age group were as follows: (Men’s 18-24) – George Vincent Alcido of Baguio Benguet Triathlon (2:16:30), Mark Joshua Perez of Gas Coaching (2:17:35) and Derek Jacob Villa of CM Riptide (2:32:52); (Men’s 25-29) – Edward Macalalad of Royal MNL/UPLB Tranrados (2:05:39), Jigo Libiran of The Usuals (2:33:37) and Carlos Daniel Dungao of Triclark Volvo Triathlon Team (2:36:43); (Men’s 30-34) – Reynante Briones of TRISNDBARRACUDA (2:33:55), Juan Gabriel Peña of Subic Bay Multisports (2:34:26) and Tristan Santos (2:34:59); (Men’s 35-39) – Benjamin Ramirez (2:27:40), Arnold Hoyo-A of Tri Vatan/BRC (2:35:21) and Iggy Hizon of Baguio Benguet Triathlon (2:47:41);
(Men’s 40-44) – Stanley Ng of Baguio Benguet Triathlon (2:28:56), Jason Santos of Team Megawide (2:36:25) and Stephen Corpus of Century Trihard (2:49:49); (Men’s 45-49) – Robert Jonah Rivera (2:49:41), Greg Bravo of Tri Busko (2:53:25) and Mickael Bouffaut of Sante Barley Tri Team (2:57:18); (Men’s 50-54) – Rene Ricardo Tayag of Tri Clark Triathlon Team (2:19:23), Hiroshi Takei of Team Honu (2:25:34) and Alexander Isip of Team Megawide (2:34:00); (Men’s 55-59) – Emmanuel Mondero of Team Megawide (2:37:25), Ronald Allan Ginez of Paynet-Amigo Tri (2:48:11) and Jonathan Tansengco (2:56:37); and (Men’s 60 and over) – Ed Francisco of Polo Tri (2:59:50) and Josef Gueta (3:21:53).
The podium finishers in the women’s division were as follows: (18-34) – Shamira Habie of Tri-Generals (3:04:49) and Daryl Mooney of Team Mooney (3:28:45); (35-49) – Maryfel Aumentado of Cheryauto PH Tri Team (2:48:42) and Kristine Mae Tan of The Next Step Tri (3:10:00); and (50 and over) – Ivy Mendoza of Poveda Tri Team (3:19:55) and Ratna Dimaporo of Tri SND Barracuda (3:25:10).
The NAGT, organized by Triathlon Philippines headed by Ramon Marchan in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Asian Center for Insulation, Standard Insurance and Gatorade, the official drink.
This past Saturday, triathletes Euan Arrow Ramos and Christy Ann Perez won the Super Sprint category of the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) tournament which was held at the Boardwalk in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Ramos from Baguio Benguet Triathlon Team finished the 500 meter swim – 10 kilometer bike – 2 kilometer run race in 33 minutes and 24 seconds in the boys’ 13-15 years old division. Peter Sancho Del Rosario (Getcoach’d Academy) finished 2nd place in 35:19 followed by teammate Diego Jose Dimayuga (35:37).
Christy Ann Perez, a member of Go For Gold TLTG Cebu, registered the best time of 38:06 in the girls division, while teammate Yvaine Osias checked in third (39:00). Maria Zabelle Eugenio (Baguio Benguet Triathlon Team) ranked second (38:43).
Meanwhile, Hans Nathan Samputon (Ormoc Aquatic Edge) bagged the gold medal in the Super Kids boys 11-12 years old (400m swim, 8km bike and 2km run) category with a time of 34:28. Earl Pearson Jr. (Go For Gold TLTG Cebu) took the silver medal in 35.05 while Bricen Lukas Platz (Get Coach’D Academy clocked 38:26 to settle for the bronze medal.
In the girls division, the Top 3 finishers were Lauren Lee Tan of Ormoc Aquatic Edge (34:27), Henia Ethana Go of Gold TLTG Cebu (35:51) and Ava Victoria Banal of Baguio Benget Triathlon (38:48).
The Top 3 finishers in the boys division of the 9-10 years old (200m swim, 6km bike and 1km run) category, were Chris Donovan Lacuna (25:40), Matteo Carino (27:17) and Jon David Julian (27:19), while Pia Gito (28:13) got the gold and Juriel Brooke Julian (31:24) the silver in the girls division.
In the 7-8 years old (100m swim, 2km bike and 800m run), the winners in Ray Vincent Marchan (17:41) and Zavier Prequenza (21:35) in the boys division and Stacey Ailia Aisha (29:13) in the girls division.
Suchen Mooney (13:21) pocketed the gold and Dylan Shyam Bayarong (21:00) secured the silver medal in the boys 6 and under (50m swim, 1km bike and 400m run) category.
The NAGT, organized by Triathlon Philippines headed by Ramon Marchan in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Asian Centre for Insulation, Standard Insurance and Gatorade, the official drink.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news report. Some parts in boldface…
Andrew Kim Remolino of Cebu and Kira Ellis of Laguna emerged champions in the elite category of the National Age Group Aquathlon at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite on Sunday.
Remolino, a silver medalist in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games last May, clocked 16 minutes and 20 seconds in the 500-meter swim/2.5-km run event to beat fellow Cebuanos Matthew Justine Hermosa (16:26) and Joshua Ramos (16:41).
Ellis registered 16:58 to claim the gold medal in the women’s division of the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, headed by Ramon Marchan, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Cebuanos Raven Faith Alcoseba (17:34) and Karen Manayon (18:02) bagged the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
The top three finishers in the men’s 16-19 category were Daniel Nazarro (17:32), Johnwayne Ybanez (17:50) and AJ Caoile (18:02), while in the women’s division were Diana Victoria Seda-Lomboy (19:30), Juliana Laine Lagula (21:29) and Naomi Felicity (21:55).
In the youth 13-15 category (300-m swim/2.5-km run), Darell Johnson Bada of Olongapo City won the boys’ division in 14 minutes. Peter Sancho Del Rosario was second in 14:01 while Euan Arrow Ramos was third in 14:14.
Eleora Caelle Avanzado topped the girls’ division, crossing the finish line with a time of 16:30 followed by Maria Zabelle Eugenio (16:41) and Yvaine Osias (16:45).
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Today at Kep in Cambodia, the multisport squad composed of Erika Burgos, Iñaki Emil Lorbes, Kira Ellis and Matthew Justine Hermosa won the gold for the Philippines during the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). This big victory happened hours after the silver medal victory of Andrew Kim Remolino in the men’s individual aquathlon and it added to the growing number of gold medal victories for the Philippines. Specifically, the mixed aquathlon team relay victory is the 7th gold for the nation in the ongoing regional games as of this writing.
The pose of victory at the SEA Games in Cambodia. (note: photo sourced from Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page).
To put things in perspective, the official results showed that the Philippines finished first with an overall time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 56 seconds (1:09:56). In terms of breakdowns, the Filipino multisport squad scored 16:20 in Leg 1, 19:21 in Leg 2, 16:16 in Leg 3 and 17:59 in Leg 4 of the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event. The way the results were presented online, it was not made clear which team member participated per leg.
Meanwhile, Indonesia captured the silver medal in 1:11:27 while the bronze went to Vietnam which finished in 1:13:29. Host nation Cambodia finished at 7th place with 1:26:41.
Considering what the Philippines achieved today in the inaugural SEA Games aquathlon events, it is essential to thank and honor the Lord for the silver and gold medals won.
I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)
Keep on giving your thanks to God, for he is so good! His constant, tender love lasts forever!
Psalms 118:1 (TPT)
As mentioned before, the competition in this edition of the SEA Games is tough and there is still a long road ahead for the Philippines to win as many gold medals as possible. To overcome the challenges and obstacles, faith in the Lord is essential.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
From this point on, the Philippines will proceed with its quest for gold in the Men’s Individual Duathlon which will start tomorrow at 6:30 AM and also in the Women’s Individual Duathlon which is set to take place at 8:30 AM.
On May 8, the Women’s Individual Triathlon will go first at 6:30 AM followed by the Men’s Individual Triathlon at 8:30 AM.
Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.
Australia’s seasoned triathletes finished 1-2 in the men’s elite division and 1-3 in the women’s elite race to enthrone themselves as the new power at the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) featuring the sprint distance in celebration of its 30th year yesterday at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Last year’s 3rd placer and 6th seed Oscar Dart (world ranking -112) outkicked (wr- 300) and 22nd seed Joshua Ferris, 2022 Asia Triathlon Cup Ipoh champion, after running breast -to-breast almost the whole 5 kilometers.
Dart and Ferris were even when they completed the 750-meter swim and 20-kilometer bike with Dart posting aggregate time of 52 minutes and 05 seconds for the race, seven seconds ahead of Ferris.
Reigning NTT Asia Triathlon Cup Subic Bay titleholder Ren Sato (wr-35) of Japan exchanged places with Dart. This time Sato could only cross the finish line 18 seconds behind Dart whom he beat by 37 seconds in the standard distance.
Strong finishing kick also carried Aussie Charlotte McShane (wr-91/2nd seed) to the top of the podium, towing China’s Yifan Yang (wr- 167/14th seed) and her teammate Ellie Hoitink (118/9th seed).
McShane clocked 58:43 with Yang and Hoitink checking in at 58:54 and 58:58, respectively, in the first and oldest sporting event (both local and international levels) sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Standard Insurance, Hoka, Fitbar, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Inc., and TYR.
Rounding out the elite male top 5 positions in the event, organized by Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), were last year’s 5th placer Japan’s Genta Uchida (4th, 52:38) and Jumpei Furuya (5th, 52:38).
Chinese duo, Meiyi Lu (4th, 59:07) and Anqi Huang (5th, 59:20) completed the top 5 in the elite female category.
2021 Southeast Asian gold medalist Fernando Jose Casares landed in 25th position in the 66-strong fleld with a time of 54:46. Three-time SEA Games gold medalist Kim Mangrobang timed 1:01:07, good for 24th place out of 48 entries.
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The above information was sourced from an official press release issued by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines. Some parts were modified for this website.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from John Chicano by means of an interview and research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
A Chat with 2019 SEA Games Gold Medalist and Southeast Asia’s Triathlon King – John Chicano
Southeast Asia’s best male triathlete John Leerams Chicano.
Since he first participated in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2017, John Leerams Chicano raked in notable honors for the Philippines and took his career in the multisport of triathlon (swim-bike-run) even higher.
Today, Chicano is one of the highest-ranking members of the National Team of triathlon and this past December, he won the gold medal in the men’s triathlon event of the 2019 SEA Games that was held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (so close to his native Olongapo City). With that big victory, he established himself as Southeast Asia’s newest triathlon king replacing Nikko Huelgas (2015 and 2017 SEA Games gold medalist). It was also the big reward for the long road (about a decade) he literally took engaging in multisport events like triathlon and duathlon.
Recently I met Chicano and had a nice chat with him.
For you, my readers, here is a look at 3-time SEA Games medalist John Chicano.
A quick look at his background
John Chicano has been engaging in triathlon for many years now and has been a member of the Philippine team along the way. He represented the country in many events of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), most notably the annual Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT). He also raced in other triathlon events organized by Bike King Philippines and other race organizers. On livelihood, he previously worked as a bike mechanic as well as a janitor. He now has his own family to support.
When it comes to triathlon at the SEA Games, he made his debut in the 2017 edition of the games held in Malaysia and won the silver medal in the individual men’s triathlon event next to teammate Nikko Huelgas who won the gold medal back then (note: Huelgas first won the SEA Games gold in 2015). His achievement was recognized by the media and the national government which in turn rewarded him (along with all other medalists) with cash incentives in accordance to Republic Act Number 10699.
Winning the SEA Games gold medal at Subic Bay
On the early morning of December 1, 2019, the SEA Games men’s triathlon event started with Chicano and Cebu-based teammate Andrew Kim Remolino representing the nation. After going through the pressure and enduring the pain of the 1.5 kilometer swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run event, Chicano won the gold medal in 1 hour, 53 minutes and 26 seconds. Remolino followed with 1:55:03 to win the silver medal, completing the 1-2 punch for the Philippines.
“We were confident in the sense that we prepared well for the SEA Games which includes three months of training at Clark,” Chicano said. “While I was confident to win, there were a few moments of uncertainty since the big competition (men’s triathlon) could turn out to be unpredictable.”
During the December 1 event, Chicano and Remolino raced together during the 40-kilometer bike leg and on the spot they came up with a new strategy to win gold and silver. At that particular stage, another foreign competitor biked near them. Earlier in the swim leg, Remolino was the first to emerge from the sea while Chicano was 4th (an Indonesian and a Singaporean were slightly ahead of him). During the 10-kilometer run leg, Chicano and Remolino built up their lead as a country and, ultimately, he gave it his all to win the gold, literally upgrading from silver (2017 SEA Games). The victory was witnessed by the top sports officials, the coaches, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority officials, the spectators, corporate sponsors and, of course, Chicano’s family.
“It was a very happy moment for me to cross the finish line for the gold medal. I even felt like crying for happiness back then,” Chicano recalled the very moment he won the gold and became Southeast Asia’s best. “This was the big payback for almost ten years of effort racing in triathlon and growing to be stronger and more competitive. My triathlon effort and build-up started in 2010, preceded by biking in 2009. The feeling was so tremendous and happy.”
Chicano and teammate Andrew Kim Remolino on the sports section of the December 2, 2019 edition of Business Mirror.
During the medal awarding ceremony, Chicano thought deeply about his SEA Games achievement and that he could bring further honors to the nation (plus his locality) in the years to come. The day after that, Chicano and teammates Remolino, Kim Mangrobang and Kim Kilgroe got tremendous spotlight together in the national newspapers which was expected considering their victorious achievements.
Chicano (3rd from right) with his teammates who won medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games – (from L to R) Claire Adorna, Kim Kilgroe, Kim Mangrobang, Andrew Kim Remolino and Fer Casares. (photo source – Kim Mangrobang Facebook page)
His SEA Games gold medal achievement not only raked in praise from many, financial rewards also came in from the national government (RA 10699), the City Government of Olongapo, corporate sponsors and other generous parties. Chicano even got to visit the Philippine Senate and met with Senator Richard Gordon.
Chicano and Kim Mangrobang on the front page of the December 2, 2019 edition of the Manila Times.
Chicano with coach Melvin Fausto and Senator Richard Gordon. (photo source – Subic Bay Community Center Facebook page)
As of this writing, Chicano is strongly focused on triathlon and he believes that what he achieved so far as a triathlete, and also as Southeast Asia’s best male triathlete, will be remembered for a long time and perhaps inspire the next generation of Filipinos to excel in sports.
When it comes to the near future, Chicano will go to Australia very soon to attend the Annual General Meeting and Awards Night of the FilOz Triathlon Club as their Guest Speaker. After that, he will undergo triathlon training for a few more weeks there in Australia.
From this point on, I recommend you all to take a close look at Chicano in triathlon events both local and overseas. He is, after all, Southeast Asia’s reigning triathlon king.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from Kim Mangrobang by means of an interview and research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Meet Southeast Asia’s Reigning Triathlon Queen – Kim Mangrobang!
4-time Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) medalist and reigning triathlon queen of Southeast Asia Kim Mangrobang. (photo taken at Akrotiri, Commercenter, Muntinlupa City)
When triathlon (swim-bike-run) made its debut in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in late 2005 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone here in the Philippines, Marion Kim Mangrobang was still a teenager who witnessed the event as a spectator. Already a junior-level member of the Philippine triathlon team, she naturally cheered for her older teammates Ani De Leon and Sandra Araullo who represented the nation in the first-ever SEA Games triathlon event for women.
Fast forward to December 1, 2019, Mangrobang represented the Philippines in the 2019 SEA Games individual women’s triathlon event (her 3rd SEA Games since 2015) which was also held at Subic Bay and, more notably, won the gold medal in front of a large cheering crowd (with coach Ani De Leon – Brown, the other Philippine team coaches, officials of the Philippine Sports Commission, PHISGOC and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority plus other important personalities watching near the finish line) followed by her teammate Kim Kilgroe who copped the silver.
The winning streak concluded a day later when Mangrobang, 2015 SEA Games gold medalist Claire Adorna, 2019 SEA Games gold medalist John Chicano and Fer Casares combined their efforts to win the gold medal in the Triathlon Team Mixed Relay event which was held also there in Subic Bay. For the country, she won two 2019 SEA Games gold medals (note: the Philippines as a whole won 149 gold medals in the SEA Games it hosted) and got rewarded for it in return by the national government and by corporate sponsors.
The entire Philippines got delighted on the morning of December 1, 2019 at Subic Bay when Kim Mangrobang successfully defended her title as Southeast Asia’s best female triathlete by winning the 2019 SEA Games individual women’s triathlon gold medal. In previous SEA Games, she won the silver medal in 2015 and her first gold medal in 2017. (photo source – Kim Mangrobang Facebook page)
Mangrobang with her 2019 SEA Games individual women’s triathlon gold medal and the mascot. (photo source – Kim Mangrobang Facebook page)
Mangrobang with teammate John Chicano and other Philippine team athletes on the cover of the December 2, 2019 edition of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. (photo source – Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page)
As far as the SEA Games records go, Mangrobang won a total of four medals since her debut in 2015, specifically 3 gold medals (the first gold won in 2017) and 1 silver medal (won in 2015). In retrospect, her gold medal victory at Subic Bay was a successful defense of her gold medal achievement in the 2017 SEA Games which essentially established her as Southeast Asia’s reigning triathlon queen.
That being said, I am very happy to present to you my feature interview of Kim Mangrobang which starts right now.
Kim Mangrobang’s background
Mangrobang was born in Sta. Mesa, Manila, in 1991 to parents Richard (an engineer) and Dine (a manpower firm executive). Since the age of four, her family has been living in Santa Rosa, Laguna which is now a progressing city south of Metro Manila.
Mangrobang got into the sport of swimming as a result of her parents’ encouragement for her when she was little. She found sports to be an enjoyable pastime.
“As with most other parents, my mom and dad encouraged me to get into sports during the summer season when I was young. So I joined a swim team and along the way I felt I was playing given the aquatic aspect of swimming,” she recalled. “My teammates and I had fun with swimming and later I realized that swimming would be a serious form of competition.”
At the age of nine, she started swimming and eventually it became a daily part of her life similar with her teammates. As an elementary student, she continued swimming and eventually she became a varsity swimmer in her high school days (with the goal of making it in the Palarong Pambansa) and participated in many swimming competitions (between local sports clubs).
Being a member of her school’s swim team and of a separate swim club, Mangrobang learned a lot about competitive swimming related to national sports and inter-club competition. Along the way, she had to deal with a certain disadvantage of hers – her height.
“I really was a short girl back then. When I was twelve, my swimming coach noticed my height disadvantage and he figured out that it would be more helpful if I would try out with the Philippine team of triathlon,” she said.
That coach turned out to be none other than Abelardo “Abet” Alon-Alon who was a former national champion in triathlon as well as a former national team coach in the said sport. Historically, Alon-Alon was a standout in Philippine triathlon’s early years back in the 1990s His suggestion to Mangrobang to get into triathlon and into Philippine multisport turned out to be a blessing for her and the nation.
She immediately took part in a tryout (for the Philippine triathlon team) which was composed of a 1.5 kilometer swim and 3-kilometer run. Her swim time was 27 minutes and 36 seconds while she timed around 12 minutes in the run. She qualified and her membership with the Philippine triathlon team started on the junior (youth) level.
“That was the start of my new journey in sports and I realized that there were better opportunities in triathlon,” she recalled.
Triathlon career and rise in prominence
Gradually Kim Mangrobang redeveloped herself athletically under the guidance of triathlon coaches like Raul Cuevas (now heading race organizer Bike King Philippines), Peter Gonzales and Abet Alon-Alon to name a few. As she maintained her swimming, she learned to bike and run gaining valuable skills and experience. Before participating in triathlon, she engaged in aquathlon (swim-run) events.
At age thirteen, she took part in a Fit-and-Tri event for youth finishing 6th overall in a short distance aquathlon race held in Ayala Alabang Village. She finished 2nd to the last back then as she was still getting oriented. She went on to join a lot more aquathlon events later.
Her first-ever triathlon performance happened in another Fit-and-Tri event some time later. In that race, she finished 6th place. In further triathlon events, she gradually made her way up until reaching 1st place.
“To the best of my memory, I finished at around 4th place overall during the first year of competing in the Fit-and-Tri series. In the following year, I reached 1st place overall. Emerging 1st became normal for me in the years that followed, until I reached the age of fifteen or sixteen,” she recalled.
Kim Mangrobang as a teenager way back in 2005. (photo contributed by Mangrobang)
In 2006, Mangrobang joined the Junior Elite race of the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and finished 2nd. That event was her first time to compete with foreign triathletes her age and instead of feeling intimidated, she performed well and still enjoyed the experience. Her value as a member of the Philippine team grew more. That same year, she raced in the Asian Duathlon Championships held in Clark finishing 4th in the Junior Women contest.
At age seventeen, Mangrobang tested herself in a Standard Distance (1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run) event during the 2008 Subic Bay ASTC Long Distance Triathlon event and won the bronze. Ahead of her were LC Langit (gold) and Monica Torres (silver).
In May 2009, Mangrobang finished 10th in the Elite Women contest of that year’s SUBIT clocking 2 hours, 32 minutes and 45 seconds (2:32:45). In the years that followed, she kept on representing the Philippines in the Elite Women contests of not only SUBIT but also in other triathlon events of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) that were held around the world. No matter how tough the field of competition was, the Santa Rosa triathlete kept focusing and persevering on doing her best and improving herself.
In the 2016 edition of SUBIT (2016 Subic Bay NTT ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup) held at Subic Bay, Mangrobang emerged as the Elite Women champion followed by her teammate Kim Kilgroe and Hong Kong’s Kate Rutherford. She timed 2:10:40 and won several ITU qualifying points in return. For the Philippines, it was a rare gold medal victory in the history of SUBIT which has often been dominated by foreign triathletes. The said victory was also proof that Mangrobang’s overseas training (under the guidance of Portugal-based coach Sergio Santos) paid off nicely. To this day, her training in Portugal continues.
Mangrobang (rightmost) with (from L to R) then Triathlon Association of the Philippines Secretary General Tom Carrasco, Chinese Taipei’s Chang Ting Ting and her teammate Kim Kilgroe during the awarding ceremony of the 2016 edition of the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT). Mangrobang emerged as the event’s Elite Women’s champion. (photo source – Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page)
Mangrobang also achieved great honor for the nation in non-triathlon events. She emerged as the women’s champion in the Lisbon Meia-Maratona Dos Descombrimentos Half Marathon that was held on December 6, 2015 in Portugal. Her victorious performance saw her timing 1:22:40 outclassing 2nd placer Ceu Nunes (1:26:55) and 3rd placer Sofia Mateiro (1:27:34). That particular sports event was noted to be a programmed race to test the fitness of triathletes. It was also a rarity that Filipinos get to race in the said event, which made Mangrobang’s victory even more outstanding.
Triathlon at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
As mentioned earlier, in the history of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), triathlon made its debut in the 2005 edition of the games specifically in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (already well established as the nation’s triathlon hot spot and favorite destination of local triathletes). Back then, Kim Mangrobang was 14-years-old and a junior member of the Philippine team. How she witnessed triathlon’s SEA Games debut was indeed interesting.
“I was still in high school back then. Me and my family left Santa Rosa at dawn to go to Subic Bay to watch the SEA Games triathlon. I had to take a leave of absence from school since that was a school day and I had to go back to school the very next day,” Mangrobang recalled. “When we arrived, there was already a huge crowd of spectators around the venue. The excitement was really high even before the race started.”
Mangrobang recalled that as a spectator, she felt nervous for the nation and what was at stake just as the individual participants were formally introduced during the pre-race ceremony. Like many others, she could only stand and watch the race unfold from behind the barricades (used for crowd control) and experience bouts of anxiety and nervousness. She cheered for her older teammates Sandra Araullo and Ani de Leon. Araullo went on to win the silver medal while De Leon (now a coach) finished 4th.
“I was really nervous back then as a spectator. Then I said to myself, ‘how much more nervous I would be if I was the one racing for the Philippines in the SEA Games,’” she stated. She added that she noticed the added pressure of participating and literally carrying the nation and the local people’s hope that victory would be achieved. She imagined herself in the future being in such a high-stakes situation.
After almost ten years later, Kim Mangrobang made her debut in the SEA Games (2015) in Singapore as a triathlete. Her teammate back then was Claire Adorna.
“Coaches of TRAP selected who were the best to represent our country in the SEA Games with results required,” Mangrobang recalled. “Based on the results of the time, they saw that me and Claire were the best and we were selected for the games. There were no qualifying races back then, which is different compared to today.”
In the 2015 SEA Games individual women’s triathlon event, Claire Adorna and Mangrobang worked together with a strategy to help the former gain a lead early in the event. Adorna raced with a foot injury back then and the team’s focus was to help her (and the nation) build up a good lead in both the swim and bike legs of the race, and ensure victory even if her injury would slow her down in the 10-kilometer run leg. The strategy was a success for the Philippines as the injured Adorna won the gold medal and Mangrobang captured the silver medal. Their respective times were 2:13:08 and 2:14:26. The bronze medal went to Thailand’s Arunsiri Sanruthai who was more than seven minutes behind Mangrobang.
Mangrobang and Claire Adorna on the front page of the June 7, 2015 edition of the Philippine Star. She captured the silver medal while Adorna got the gold medal.(photo source – Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page)
Two years later, the SEA Games triathlon events were held in Malaysia. In the individual women’s triathlon contest, Mangrobang won the SEA Games gold medal timing 2:11:14 while her teammate Adorna won the silver medal in 2:18:58. Literally speaking, the two ladies switched places and ultimately helped the Philippines which finished the games with 24 gold medals grand total. That was also the start of Mangrobang’s reign as Southeast Asia’s triathlon queen.
“During the build-up heading to the SEA Games of 2017, there was anxiety and pressure among us teammates mainly because expectations for us to repeat success were so high as a result of what we achieved in the previous SEA Games,” she stated.
Mangrobang and her teammate Nikko Huelgas on the front page of the August 22, 2017 edition of the Manila Bulletin. This marked her first time to win the SEA Games gold medal. (photo source – Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page)
To put things in perspective, the Philippines not only repeated its success in the 2015 SEA Games, they exceeded it by having twin gold-and-silver medal victories in both the individual men’s and individual women’s triathlon events in the 2017 edition of the games. On the men’s race, Nikko Huelgas won his 2nd consecutive gold medal while John Chicano added more punch to the victory by grabbing the silver medal. For Mangrobang, that particular event marked her first time to win the SEA Games gold medal.
“It was a very happy moment for me personally because all the efforts and training invested paid off in the best way possible,” Mangrobang recalled her feeling of winning her first gold medal. “A lot of relief followed as all the pressure and nervousness accumulated just vanished and got replaced with the thrill of victory. Naturally, I became very thankful.”
With regards to the 2019 SEA Games, Mangrobang spent a great deal of her time overseas. As she kept training in Portugal (plus a month of training in Mexico), she represented the country in many sports events that were held in other parts of the world for the first eleven months of 2019. As such, she did not spend much time in the Philippines.
Regardless, she won the gold medal of the individual women’s triathlon once more in the latest SEA Games marking her successful defense of her standing as Southeast Asia’s triathlon queen. Her time was 2:02:00. The December 1, 2019 victory at Subic Bay also marked the full turn of life for Mangrobang who went from spectator in the 2005 SEA Games triathlon into Southeast Asia’s best female triathlete fourteen years later at the same freeport.
The Sta. Rosa, Laguna-based triathlete making a U-turn during the 40-kilometer bike leg of the 2019 SEA Games individual women’s triathlon event at Subic Bay. (photo source – Kim Mangrobang Facebook page)
Mangrobang and Chicano on the front page of the December 2, 2019 edition of the Manila Bulletin. (photo source – Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page)
After winning the two 2019 SEA Games gold medals (individual women and mixed team relay), Mangrobang and her medalist teammates were greeted by lots of local spectators who also expressed their gratitude to them.
“Getting praised and being thanked a lot in return for the victory is normal. It is also a very humbling feeling to see so many spectators rooting for us national athletes to win. Through that experience, I realized there is truth to the 2019 SEA Games tagline of ‘We Win As One,’” she stated.
Mangrobang and her winning teammates (John Chicano, Kim Kilgroe, Kim Remolino, Claire Adorna and Fer Casares) plus members of the coaching staff were nicely rewarded by the national government through Republic Act Number 10699. They formally received their cash incentives in a special ceremony held at Malacanang Palace in the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The President jokingly said I resembled a certain past classmate of his from his days as a Grade 5 student,” Mangrobang said recalling her short chat with Duterte as she had her photo session with him at Malacanang. It was her 2nd time to be with the President.
Mangrobang with her teammates and fellow 2019 SEA Games medalists (from L to R) Claire Adorna, Kim Kilgroe, John Chicano, Andrew Kim Remolino and Fer Casares. (photo source – Kim Mangrobang Facebook page)
Southeast Asia’s triathlon queen with President Rodrigo Duterte. (photo source – Kim Mangrobang Facebook page, photo care of Presidential Communications)
The post-SEA Games buzz did not stop with Duterte. Apart from meeting corporate sponsors and having sessions with some members of the press, Mangrobang was acknowledged by the respective local government units (LGUs) of Santa Rosa in Laguna and Bauan in Batangas through social media.
Mangrobang right in the middle of the Santa Rosa-based 2019 SEA Games medalists. (photo source – City Government of Santa Rosa, Laguna Facebook page)
A congratulatory message from the authorities in Bauan, Batangas. (photo source – Bauan MIO Facebook page)
Bauan claimed Mangrobang as their own since her mother is a native there. After accepting their invitation, she attended the flag raising ceremony at Bauan and was presented by the LGU officials to the locals. They gave her a certificate of recognition. Mangrobang also attended another flag raising ceremony with the Provincial Government of Batangas (headed by Governor DoDo Mandanas) held in Batangas City.
Aiming High for 2020 Tokyo Olympics
As of now, Kim Mangrobang is aiming to get qualified to represent the Philippines in the individual women’s triathlon event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. With the support of San Miguel Corporation, Nike, Specialized, Oakley, Garmin and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and the guidance of coach Sergio Santos, she is now in full training in Portugal and eventually she will be joining several triathlon events (recognized by the ITU) that serve as qualifying races for the Olympics.
According to Mangrobang, there will only be 55 slots for the Tokyo Olympic Games individual women’s triathlon event. The qualifying period will end this coming May and subsequently the final lineup of triathletes racing in the Olympics will be announced.
“I’m very focused now on getting into the Olympics and I’m using whatever energy I have for it,” Mangrobang declared.
Message to the Readers
“When I race, I realize that it is a big responsibility because I become an inspiration to other people and I hope that what I achieved will inspire others to engage in the active lifestyle as that is important. I also hope that once they get into triathlon, they will learn to work hard and train smart.”
Mangrobang and myself at Akrotiri, Commercenter, Alabang.
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenoris still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
Note: My special thanks to Akrotiri restaurant located at Commercenter, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City. Akrotiri really has a nice place (which was great for this feature interview) as well as a fine selection of food and beverages. Those of you who are reading this, I highly recommend Akrotiri.
Author Carlo Carrasco 