By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With a renewed focus on sports, the administration maintains its steadfast commitment to supporting Filipino athletes and providing them with adequate equipment and support to excel in their respective fields.
In a courtesy call at Malacañang, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed fencers from the Philippine Fencing Association, who took home 46 medals after participating in the 2026 Southeast Asian Fencing Federation (SEAFF) Minime, Junior, and Cadet Fencing Championships held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
During his engagement with the young athletes, the President noted how this sport remained close to his heart, citing some fencing experience in his younger years.
He said in a statement, “We need to have a more extensive program for people to participate in sports like fencing, any sport that they might be interested in.”
President Marcos Jr., meanwhile, expressed satisfaction over the growing popularity and competitiveness of Philippine fencing, which he said had produced impressive results in international competitions.
The 46-medal haul bagged by the Filipino fencers includes eight gold, 12 silver, and 26 bronze—an exemplary showcase of local talent on the international stage.
“There is no better place for you to learn discipline. There is no better place for you to learn camaraderie. There is no better place than to learn resilience,” the President said.
President Marcos Jr. went on to acknowledge the sacrifices of parents, coaches, and other members of the athletes’ support teams, emphasizing their important roles in developing competitive Filipino athletes.
The Chief Executive concluded his interaction with the fencers by encouraging them to remain committed to their training and continue pursuing excellence in local and international competitions.
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