Largest turn out and PH wins in three years signals growing pool of future skating champions
MANILA, Philippines, 14 January 2026 - With the Southeast Asian (SEA) Open Short Track Speed Skating trophy's Philippine return, SM hopes the country's success at the international derby captures a crucial window of opportunity to further enrich local skating talent.
Designed as an entry-level international competition, the SEA Trophy gives young and emerging skaters the opportunity to compete, learn, and gain exposure on a friendly yet structured stage.
“We are thrilled with the results of the latest season of this international competition,” said Joseph Silva, Senior Assistant Vice President for SM Skating. “Since its inaugural run, we’ve seen steady growth in participation, and this year marks our highest turnout yet, along with the country’s strongest medal haul to date. Coupled with the surge of interest in ice sports following the Philippines’ recent SEA Games successes, we see this as a pivotal moment to spotlight the potential of our young, emerging athletes and further strengthen support for the development of their talent.”
On its third local mounting, the SEA Trophy has registered its largest volume of participants at 90 athletes ages six to 24 years old representing the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, and Indonesia. The Philippines emerged with a total medal win of 12 gold, 11 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
"Most of the athletes who join are starting out on their skating journeys. With this international competition, they gain more than a chance of winning medals. They attain access to a professional arena, while competing against regional athletes exposing them to different styles of athleticism," said Nikki Cheng, President of the Philippine Skating Union.
Giving young, emerging athletes a home and an arena to shine
A long-time advocate of ice sports in the Philippines, SM has been home to the SEA Trophy since 2023. Mounted by SM through its Sports and Leisure Center (SLC) and SM Skating, the competition was hosted at the Olympic-sized rink of SM Skating Mall of Asia—one of the country's most established ice sports venues.
Backed by the International Skating Union (ISU) Development Commission and the Philippine Sports Commission, the SEA Trophy also serves as a development platform that ensures global participation in ice sports while encouraging skills progression, coaching exchange, and cross border-collaboration.
“Beyond providing conducive spaces for athletes to train and compete, SM recognizes that true skill development comes from exposure to international competition,” said Silva. “Events like this put everything they’ve trained for to the test, while fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship, values that are honed only on the ice, alongside fellow athletes.”
Through this holistic approach, SM has given both emerging and competitive athletes a home that hones them into champions. SEA Games podium finisher Hans Buemio, started his skating journey at SM's skating rinks. He has gone on to qualify as the country’s first homegrown speed skater for the ISU Junior World Cup series and is preparing for the next competition in Utah. Meanwhile, emerging international skating athletes have also been honed through the SEA Trophy. Chinese skater Bingzhen Dai is also a product of the tournament and has been training in SM’s Skating Rinks for the last two years. Silva hopes that with holistic support, more emerging athletes like them can come to fulfill their potential.
"With SM, our skating industry will always have a home one that provides inclusive and accessible pathways for our talents to grow and succeed. Through the 2026 SEA Trophy, we look forward to discovering our future champions and showcasing their excellence to the world.”
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