Recommended Video
These Filipino athletes have competed AND served for the country throughout their sporting careers.
As is, representing the country on the international stage is already an honor for any athlete. But for others, this goes beyond sporting excellence. Over the years, numerous star athletes in the Philippines have also served in the military, balancing their sporting careers with their commitments to the flag.
With Araw of Kagitingan upon us, The GAME looks back at some of the top Filipino athletes that have carried the flag in more ways than one.
Teofilo Yldefonso (Swimming)
Known as the Ilocano Shark, Teofilo Yldefonso was the first Filipino Olympic medalist, winning bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the 1928 Amsterdam and 1932 Los Angeles Games.
Behind his historic feats, Yldefonso was also a military man. Years before his Olympic medals, Yldefonso enlisted in 1922 with the 57th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts, and even survived the Death March in World War 2.
Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting)
Like Yldefonso, Hidilyn Diaz is another history-maker with military roots, joining the Philippine Air Force through direct enlistment in 2013. In fact, Diaz was promoted to staff sergeant in 2020 after she took home the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Before winning it all in Tokyo, Diaz also rose through the Air Force ranks following her triumph at the 2018 Asian Games, and another historic silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Jovelyn Gonzaga (Volleyball)
A Philippine Army sergeant, longtime volleyball fans should be familiar with Jovelyn Gonzaga’s commitment to the flag — one that she’s balanced with a productive career in the Premier Volleyball League with Cignal, and now, ZUS Coffee.
Along with Choco Mucho’s Royse Tubino, Gonzaga sat out a few games in the 2025 Reinforced Conference to participate in the Army’s in-house volleyball league.
Nesthy Petecio (Boxing)
Following her silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, boxer Nesthy Petecio was officially enlisted into the Philippine Coast Guard with fellow Olympian Elreen Ando. The two were assigned to the Coast Guard Special Service Office, one of the PCG’s units at their national headquarters.
Petecio was also promoted from Petty Officer Class 1 to Petty Officer Class 2 after copping bronze in the Paris Olympics.
Afril Bernardino (Basketball)
Last but not least is Gilas Pilipinas Women stalwart Afril Bernardino, who holds the rank of Seaman Second Class in the Philippine Navy. Bernardino recently made history with Gilas as part of their silver medal run in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore, and was named into the tournament’s All-Women team.
Banner images from Nesthy Petecio on Facebook