02 March 2025, Pyeongchang, South Korea - The Philippine National Bobsled Team recently competed in the Korea Cup 2025 held from 27-28 February 2025 at the Pyeongchang Olympic Sliding Center in Gangwon province, South Korea. The Philippine contingent composed of seven (7) active members from the Philippine Coast Guard garnered 2nd place in the female team 2-woman bobsled and 4th place in the male team 2-man bobsled competitions. 

 The female team is composed of Ms. Reah Joy P. Sumalpong (driver) and Ms. Shirley G. Salamagos (brakeman), while the male team is composed of Messrs. Eugene P. Etrata (driver), John Froilan C. Pascual (brakeman), John Onil A. Alcaide (reserve brakeman), Team Coach Jeffrey G. Dela Cruz (reserve driver/brakeman), and Team Manager/OIC Ens Heins Lundberg G. Arlegui.  

Mr. Arram Kim, Head of Education of the Pyeongchang 2018 Legacy Foundation invited our athletes to participate last October 2024 in the New Horizons Academy, an international youth training program for winter sports, and to also train at the Pyeongchang Olympic Sliding Centre facilities. The program and training started in October 2024 and concluded this February 2025 with the holding of the Korea Cup 2025.

In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding and Declaration of Friendship was also signed between the Philippine National Bobsled Luge and Skeleton Association (PNBSLA) Inc., the Korea Bobsleigh Skeleton Federation (KBSF), the 2018 Pyeongchang & 2024 Gangwon Legacy Foundation (PGLF) and Pyeongchang County in November 2024. Signatories to the MOU are President and CEO Thelmo O. Cunanan, Jr. of the PNBSLA, President Chanmin Chyun of KBSF, Secretary General Seoungku Kang of PGLF and Deputy Mayor Seonghyun Hwang of Pyeongchang County. 

The MOU signing and participation of the PH National Bobsled Team in the Korea Cup 2025 comes at a time when the Philippines and Korea are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations. 

The Team was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul after their participation in the Korea Cup while the Embassy’s Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista witnessed the competition in Pyeongchang. END