National youth athletes get unexpected windfall from PSC, POC
Philippine medalists in the recent Third Asian Youth Games (AYG) received an unexpected windfall on Monday: record-breaking cash incentives and brand-new iPhones for their stellar performances in Manama, Bahrain.
During a celebratory luncheon, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced that all 24 medalists—including seven gold winners—will be rewarded far beyond initial expectations.
“Bahrain was a success. We didn’t expect to get this many. Our target was three golds and we got seven,” said Tolentino, who credited the young athletes’ efforts in surpassing the country’s previous AYG tally.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio made the surprise announcement that the PSC board had approved P500,000 for each gold medalist, P300,000 for silver medalists and P100,000 for bronze medalists.
The POC also chipped in: P250,000 for each gold medalist, P150,000 for silver, and P75,000 for bronze.
The athletes—aged 18 and under—had not expected any bonuses, as the Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act typically applies only to elite-level or senior competitors.
Cheers erupted again when Tolentino added another reward: iPhones courtesy of POC sponsor Sportsplus PH. Each gold medalist will receive the flagship iPhone 17 Pro Max, while silver and bronze winners will get iPhone 17 units.
“This is just right. They are all deserving,” said Gregorio. “We must hold on to this pathway until 2028.”
The Philippines finished 12th overall in the medal tally with a 7-7-10 (gold-silver-bronze) haul, its best showing yet at the continental youth meet.
Gold medals came from pencak silat’s Kram Airam Carpio; MMA’s Charlie Ratcliff, Lyre Anie Ngina, Zeth Gabriel Bueno and the mixed duo of Jan Brix Ramiscal and Tyron Jamborillo; athletics’ Pi Durden Wangkay; and jiujitsu’s Isabella Butler.
