Cordillerans, Cordillera-based athletes, and athletes who have been a part of the Cordilleran sports landscape made significant contributions to the Philippine campaign in the 30th South East Asian Games held at different parts of the country.
After the games were all completed on December 11, 2019, the splendid Cordillera contingent contributed 18 golds, 12 silvers and 8 bronze medals to the overall Philippine tally of 149-117-121. The gold region’s gold haul accounts for 12% of the country’s total golds. (Note: It was earlier reported that the total contribution was 17-11-7. Recognitions from Baguio City and Benguet Province confirmed some late additions to the list)
The Philippines was already been assured of the overall championship three days before the close of the games. The Philippines eventually finished with a significant lead over second placer Vietnam which had 98-85-105 and third placer Thailand with a 92-103-123 medal tally, respectively. Indonesia finished fourth with 72-84-111.
** Helen Aclopen and Mariane Mariano joined Jedd Andre Kim, Renzo Miguel Cazenas, and Patrick Dos Santos to compose the team that placed third in the event.
| 30th SEA Games Cordilleran Medalists | |||||
| Name | Sport | Medals | |||
| Gold | Silver | Bronze | |||
| Michael Angelo Marquez | Dancesport | 2*** | 1*** | ||
| Stephanie Sabalo | Dancesport | 2*** | 1*** | ||
| Abegail Abad | Arnis | 1 | |||
| Crismanuel Delfin | Arnis | 1 | |||
| Elmer Manlapas | Arnis | 1 | |||
| Nesthy Petecio | Boxing | 1 | |||
| Gina Iniong | Kickboxing | 1 | |||
| Jean Claude Saclag | Kickboxing | 1 | |||
| Jerry Olsim | Kickboxing | 1 | |||
| Estie Gay Liwanen | Kurash | 1 | |||
| Ariel Lee Lampacan | Muay Thai | 1 | |||
| Jerome Calica | Muay Thai | 1 | |||
| Sandi Abahan Menchi | Obstacle Course | 1 | |||
| Mark Striegl | Sambo | 1 | |||
| Jeordan Dominguez | Taekwondo | 1 | |||
| Kurt Bryan Barbosa | Taekwondo | 1 | |||
| Jason Baucas | Wrestling | 1 | |||
| Divine Wally | Wushu/Sanda | 1 | |||
| Jones Llabres Inso | Wushu/Taolu | 1 | 1* | ||
| Billy Joel Valenzuela | Arnis | 1 | |||
| Aira Villega | Boxing | 1 | |||
| Jomar Balangui | Kickboxing | 1 | |||
| Renalyn Dacquel | Kickboxing | 1 | |||
| Iredin Lepatan | Muay Thai | 1^ | |||
| Islay Erika Bomogao | Muay Thai | 1 | |||
| Jenelyn Olsim | Muay Thai | 1 | |||
| Rusha Mae Bayacsan | Muay Thai | 1^ | |||
| Jason Balabal | Wrestling | 1 | |||
| Minalyn Foy-os | Wrestling | 1 | |||
| Gideon Padua | Wushu/Sanda | 1 | |||
| Eza Rai Yalong | Arnis | 1 | |||
| Helen Dawa | Judo/Kurash | 1 | |||
| Karol Maguide | Kickboxing | 1 | |||
| Alexis Mayag-as | Muay Thai | 1 | |||
| Helen Aclopen | Sambo | 1** | |||
| Jedd Andre Kim | Sambo | 1 | |||
| Mariane Mariano | Sambo | 1** | |||
| Daniel Parantac | Wushu/Taolu | 1 | |||
| Thorton Sayan | Wushu/Taolu | 1* | |||
| Totals | 18 | 12 | 8 | ||
| * Johnzenth Gajo, Jones Llabres Inso, and Thornton Quieney Lou Sayan composed the team that placed third in the event. | |||||
| *** Michael Angelo Marquez and Stephanie Sabalo won 2 golds and a silver each as dancing partners, making their medals count a one in the tally. | |||||
| ^ Rusha Mae Bayacsan and Iredin Lepatan formed the team that won the silver in Muay Waikru Mai for females. | |||||
Stephanie Sabalo is the biggest medal contributor, accounting for two gold medals and one silver in dancesport.
Gina Iniong and Jean Claude Saclag were the latest to occupy the highest position at the podium. Iniong and Saclag took home gold medals in kickboxing during the penultimate day of the games.
The other gold medal winners are Kurt Barbosa in Taekwondo, Jason Baucas in wrestling, Jerry Olsim in kickboxing Nesthy Petecio in Boxing, Ariel Lampacan in Muay Thai, Joerdan Dominguez in Taekwondo, Sandi Abahan Menchie in Obstacle Course Running, Jerome Calica in Muaythai, Elmer Manlapas in Arnis, Divine Wally in Wushu, Abegail Abad in Arnis, Estie Gay Liwanen in Kurash, Mark Striegl for Samboand Crisamuel Delfin in Arnis.
There were at least 40 athletes who currently are or once had been a part of the Cordillera athletic scene participating in the multi-nation athletic joust.
By Armando M. Bolislis
