Following its record run of success at the Asian Winter Games, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is hoping to get further funding for the nation's men's curling squad.
In the final on February 14, the team–which included Christian Patrick Haller, Allan Beat Frei, Benjo Delarmente, and siblings Enrico Gabriel and Marc Angelo Pfister–defeated South Korea 5-3 to win gold.
“They are paying for their expenses every time and it’s not a joke. So we really need that financial support to sustain their journey to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games," POC chair Abraham Tolentino said.
Finding that incentive
Since it was just established four years ago and only last year received regular membership status from the POC, Curling Pilipinas has not received any form of official government financing.
The squad will get a PHP2 million incentive under the extended Sports Benefits and Incentives Act, also known as Republic Act 10699.
The POC Executive Board also gave the team members $5,000 apiece as an incentive.
"The incentive may not parallel their effort and dedication—and even the expenses they personally incurred—but it's one small way for the POC to show its gratitude to the team," Tolentino said.
Historic run
The team won the Philippines’ first-ever gold in the Asian Winter Games.
In the qualifying round, the Philippines overcame world No. 10 Japan 10–4, and in the semifinal, they defeated No. 17 China 7–6.
The team eyes an appearance in the 2026 Milano Cortino Winter Olympics, with the hopes of bringing another historic medal to the Philippines, a country with no winter season.
