The Philippines and SEA games

To date 1977 is the year when Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines joins the SEA games which is known as the SEAP games when the it was launched on 1958. The 1977 games was already the 9th edition of the games.

In celebration of the Golden Years of SEA games and the 25th games to be held for the first time in Laos let's take a look back on how the Philippines had fare since it's inclusion on the games on 1977..

1977 SEA Games - Held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Although the word 'Peninsula' was omitted from the new federation title to reflect the expansion, its emblem (which featured six rings representing the six founding members), and the sequential numbering of the games was kept to provide continuity, as well as reverence to the objectives, aspirations and contributions of the founders. The six-ring emblem was not replaced until 1999, when the present ten-ring emblem was first used in an official games logo.

The Philippines on it's first SEA games instantly became a force to contend with by placing 3rd overall and brought home a total of 91 medals (G-31, S-30, B-30).


1979 SEA Games- held for the 1st time in Jakarta, the Philippines amassed a total of 93 medals but its only good for fourth place because Burma has more golds than the Philippines.
(G-24,S-31,B-38)

1981 SEA Games- The Philippines hosted the games for the first time, The event was officially opened by President Ferdinand Marcos and the cauldron was lit by Benjamin Silva-Netto. The colorful opening ceremony was held in the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

More than 2,200 athletes and officials participated in the Manila Games. Bong Coo emerged as its most successful Filipino campaigner. She won six medals in six events, four of which were gold medals where she set six individual game records. Bong won the gold in Ladies Doubles with Lita de la Rosa and averaged 221 in Trios en route to an Individual All Events gold medal and became the South East Asian Games Masters champion.

The Philippines garnered a total of 187 medals but its again good only for third Place, at least the country reclaim their spot in the top 3. (G-55, S-55, B-77)

Lydia de Vega was acclaimed the Queen of SEAGames Athletics when she won the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter in record times.

1983 SEA Games- held in Singapore. Scheduled to be hosted by Brunei in accordance to the renewed alphabetical rotation of hosting duties, the 1983 SEA Games were offered to be hosted by Singapore as Brunei prepared for its forthcoming independence from the United Kingdom.

The Philippines had snatched second place from the perennial contender Thailand. In total the Philippine Team collected a total of 150 medals. (G-49, S-48, B-53).

1985 SEA Games- held in Bangkok. The Philippine team slipped from a second place finish in Singapore to third place in Bangkok, collecting a total of 129 medals.( G-43,S-54,B-32)

1987 SEA Games- for the second time in Jakarta, the Philippines maintains its third place finish although it takes home more medals than the second placer Thailand. A total of 206 medals for the country. (G-59 S-78 B-69)

1989 SEA Games- held again in Kuala Lumpur, Although Cambodia did not participate, Laos returned to compete for the first time under the new federation name in this edition of the games. A unified Vietnam first participated in the SEA Games in 1989 as well.

The Philippines finish 5th overall behind Indonesia, Thailand and surprisingly Singapore with 127 medals in the bag. (G-26 S-37 B-64)

Kiko Labuyo,a Sarimanok is the official Mascot of the 1991 Sea Games

1991 SEA Games- held for the second time in Manila and from a depressing 5th place in Kuala Lumpur the Philippine Team is determined to regain its glory and make the home crowd proud.

It was the only SEA Games where the overall championship was heavily contested. The deciding medal came from the last sporting event - women's marathon where Indonesia got the gold medal. The host country was disappointed when they were two gold medals short of getting the over-all championship.

The Philippines ended in second place with 238 medals G91-S62-B86.

1993 SEA Games- held in the lion city Singapore. The Philippines slipped to 3rd Place with 57 gold, 59 silvers, and 72 bronze for a total of 188 medals.

1995 SEA Games- for the first time a game is held outside a capital city in Chang-Mai Thailand. The Philippines again settled for 3rd Place with 145 medals. (G-33 S-48 B-64)

1997 SEA Games- held for the 3rd time in Jakarta. The Philippines slipped to 4th place with its 209 medals,43 gold, 57 silver and109 bronze.

1999 SEA Games- held for the 1st time in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The Philippines suffered another 5th place finish with only 20 golds, 26 silvers and 46 bronzes. Its worst after over 2 decades of joining the games. Its a reflection on how poor sports program we have and the emergence of new south east asian powerhouse with Singapore and Vietnam making its presence felt.

2001 SEA Games- held in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines retained its 5th place finish with Vietnam Surprisingly finished in 4th place. (T-163 G-31 S-65 B-67)

2003 SEA Games- held for the first time in Vietnam and also East Timor joined as a sovereign nation. Surprisingly Vietnam emerged as the overall Champion. The Philippines improved its place from 5th on the last 2 previous games to 4th place with 179 medals. (G-49 S-55 B-75)

2005 SEA Games- the 3rd time the Philippines hosted the Games with Manila and other key cities played as host. The first time that the opening ceremony is not held in a National Stadium.

The Games with the record of the most number of sports and participants ever and even surpassing the number in the recent games. East timor received its first ever SEA games medal in a native sports Arnis.

The Philippines grab the overall championship for the first time since its inclusion in 1977. The whole country celebrated its sweetest moment ever in SEA games with its 113 gold, 84 silver and 94 bronze for a total of 291 medals.

2007 SEA Games-held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The Philippine team fresh from its Victory is expected to fare as well in this games. They go to Thailand with one mission and that is to defend its crown as the overall champion. But the turn of events in Thailand failed the Filipinos expectations as the country placed 6th overall with its worst place ever in the history of its participation in the Games. The Filipino Athletes go home with their 229 (G42 S91 B96) medals with questions and disappointment on mind.

The question now is will the Philippines regain its lost glory or will it continue to deteriorate in the 25th SEA games in Laos? Will they prove that they deserve a better finished in Thailand? will the country be again a power house in the region?