PASAY CITY – Reelected Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino promised to further defend the Olympic motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger-Together” during a recent get-together with national sports association officials.

“Let us continue to strive for greater heights in the spirit of teamwork and perfection,” Tolentino said during the event in Pasay City.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all members of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Your dedication, hard work and unity have been instrumental in shaping the success of Philippine sports this year,” he added.

Under Tolentino’s term, the Philippines won its first Olympic gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo in Tokyo (2020+1) and got two gold medals from gymnast Carlos Yulo at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Together, we have overcome challenges, celebrated victories and strengthened our commitment to supporting our athletes and nation. Thank you for your unwavering passion and service,” said Tolentino, also Tagaytay City mayor and PhilCycling president.

Present were newly-elected POC auditor Donaldo Caringal (volleyball) and Executive Board members Leonora Escollante (canoe-kayak-dragon boat), Leah Gonzalez (fencing), Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Ferdinand Agustin (jiu-jitsu), Alexander Sulit (judo), and secretary-general lawyer Wharton Chan (kickboxing).

Ramon Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Federation, also attended the celebration along with Cynthia Carrion and Rowena Eusuya of gymnastics, lawyer Billy Sumagui of cycling, Karen Caballero of sepak takraw, Marcus Manalo of boxing and Nikko Huelgas of the Athletes Commission.

Olympic boxing medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial joined karate president Richard Lim, table tennis head Ting Ledesma, Rolan Llamas (kurash), Reynald Tiangco (tennis), Imelda Regencia (ice hockey) Jobert Yu and Brian Benjamin Lim (esports), Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem (handball), Becky Garcia (dancesports), Paolo Tancontian (sambo), and Gina Avecilla (bowling).

Also present were Jop Malonzo (vovinam), Chressibel Atienza (wushu), Raul Samson (taekwondo), Jarryd Bello (curling), Charlie Ho (netball), Jonne Go (hockey), Aniceto Facundo II (skateboarding), Red Dumuk (pickleball), Jasper Tanhueco (athletics) and Jezreel Apelar (ski and snowboarding). 

Tolentino will be the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for four more years as his “Working Team” ticket dominated the general elections last week.

Tolentino earned the nod of 45 national sports association representatives, giving him another four-year term as POC president.

Tolentino beat outgoing auditor and former professional basketball star Chito Loyzaga of the baseball association by 30 votes.

Tolentino’s entire ticket won all the other seats.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio also stays as POC first vice president, running unopposed with 53 votes.

Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, representing pentathlon, will also keep his post as second vice president after beating late replacement Carl Sambrano of skateboarding, 37-22.

Renowned sports doctor George Canlas of surfing is set to become the new POC treasurer, replacing gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion-Norton.

Canlas also ran unopposed and got 54 votes.

Don Caringal of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation will replace Loyzaga as auditor, winning over Rod Roque, 47-12.

Lenlen Escollante of canoe kayak, Alvin Aguilar of wrestling, Ferdie Agustin of jiu-jitsu, Ali Sulit of judo and Leah Gonzales of fencing were all voted to the POC executive board.

Sixty-one NSA officials were supposed to vote but the designated representative from the Philippine Rugby Football Union failed to cast a vote, making them the only complete abstention in the elections.