Sometimes, you have to choose between two dreams—and Filipina wrestler Aliah Gavalez made hers count.
The 22-year-old grappler faced a tough decision: prepare for the Licensure Examination for Teachers or focus on her first Southeast Asian Games.
Knowing she couldn’t do both, Gavalez made the bold choice to skip the LET and dedicate herself fully to the SEA Games. The gamble paid off.
Gavalez claimed a silver medal in the women’s freestyle 50kg category, racking up three wins against a single loss. Vietnamese Do Ngo Linh went undefeated to take gold, while Indonesia’s Novita Sarah claimed bronze.
“It wasn’t easy,” Gavalez admitted. “Months before the tournament, I was torn between taking the LET exam or competing in the SEA Games. Since I couldn’t manage both, I chose the SEA Games. Maybe it’s time for me to create my own history—and earning silver for my country made it all worth it!”
For Gavalez, the medal is more than a personal achievement. “This silver proves that every hardship, sacrifice, moment of exhaustion, and doubt was worth it. It’s a reminder that perseverance turns struggles into triumphs. No amount of money can match the value of a dream pursued with heart, discipline, and courage.”
The Philippines’ wrestling success didn’t stop there.
Arian Carpio claimed silver in the women’s freestyle 60kg, while Rea Cervantes took bronze in the 53kg division, ensuring that all Filipino wrestlers on the mat reached the podium.
“As a first-timer in the SEA Games, I was super nervous and felt a lot of pressure,” Cervantes said. “But I kept reminding myself that I had the training. When I won bronze, I was overjoyed. It felt like all my hard work paid off, and I realized that I really can do it if I just trust myself.”
