A young athlete from Pampanga has etched his name in the history books of Philippine sports. Justin Kobe Ronquillo Macario, 23, from Barangay Becuran in Sta. Rita, Pampanga, secured the country's first gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. He triumphed in the men's individual freestyle poomsae event in taekwondo, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 10, 2025.
Historic Victory and Stellar Performance
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) confirmed the historic nature of Macario's win, marking it as the Philippines' initial gold of the Games. Demonstrating power and grace, Macario's routine featured impressive aerial flips and complex kicking combinations, earning him a winning score of 8.200 points. This performance was enough to defeat six other competitors vying for the top spot.
His success did not end there. Macario also contributed to a bronze medal in the mixed team poomsae event. He shared this podium finish with teammates Darius Venerable, Jeus Yape, Juvenile Crisostomo, and Janna Oliva, showcasing the depth of talent in the Philippine taekwondo poomsae team.
The Journey of a Champion
Kobe's path to gold was built on decades of dedication. The son of Romeo Tadeo Macario of Baguio City and Aileen Ronquillo Macario of Sta. Rita roots, he first stepped onto the taekwondo mat at the age of five, inspired by his eldest brother, Michael Christian Macario, a former NCAA competitor from San Beda University.
His early training was shaped by coaches Mark Rico, Domingo Rico, and Dexter Rico at Art Heaven Gym. He later honed his skills under Melvin Morte and Judette Morte at UFC Gym in Baguio. At the national level, his coaches were Rani Ann Ortega, the head coach of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Jeordan Dominguez of Twist & Kicks Taekwondo Gym.
Sacrifice has been a constant theme. At just 14 years old, Macario moved to Manila for full-time training, battling intense homesickness. During senior high school, he would travel home to Pampanga every weekend, returning to the capital by Sunday evening to continue his rigorous regimen. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Fitness and Sports Management from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and is now a full-time national athlete.
Overcoming Adversity and Eyeing Future Glory
The journey was not without physical setbacks. In 2023, Macario suffered an upper body tear that required extensive therapy. Choosing to forgo steroid-based treatments to comply with competition rules, he missed several events but persevered to full recovery.
His preparation for the 33rd SEA Games was relentless, beginning in January 2025. It involved four daily training sessions from Monday to Sunday, coupled with a strict diet. Upon learning his performance delivered the Philippines' first gold, Macario described a feeling of disbelief.
He expressed profound gratitude for his family and supporters, notably acknowledging the assistance from Sta. Rita Mayor Reynan Calo during his preparations and competitions.
With the SEA Games gold around his neck, Justin Kobe Macario is already looking ahead. His victory has set the stage for upcoming challenges, with plans to compete in several prestigious tournaments:
- Asian Taekwondo Championships
- Asian Games
- Korea Open Championships
- Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games
- World Poomsae Championships
His story is a powerful testament to the resilience and skill of Filipino athletes on the regional stage.
