The Philippine women’s national football team celebrated their 2025 golden achievements with their fans and the Philippine football community in the Filipinas Homecoming Concert at the SM Mall of Asia Ampitheater last Friday, organized by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and SM Supermalls.
The concert, with rising pop star Janine Teñoso performing her top hits like Tingin, Hulaan, and Di Na Muli, drew the members of the SEA Games gold medalist squad and the community closer ahead of the Filipinas’ journey to Australia for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup starting on March 1.
“In the Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines is so dominant in basketball that all the other countries are just looking at one gold, and that’s the football gold. And our Filipinas took it from them,” said PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez, underscoring the historic importance of the Filipinas winning the country’s first and only SEA Games gold in football.
“Because of you, we can carry ourselves differently with pride, conviction, and confidence. You have shifted more than score lines. You have shifted mindsets,” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Pato Gregorio said in a statement read by PSC Commissioner Walter Francis Torres.
“The Philippine Sports Commission stands firmly behind you in training, in competition, and in building the systems that will sustain your success. Together with the Philippine Football Federation, we reiterate our vivid commitment to creating both enabling environment for you to realize your potential. There is no telling how far you can go,” Gregorio continued.
SM Supermalls, host of the Filipinas’ home turf the SM Mall of Asia Sky Pitch, expressed its “pride” in hosting the homecoming concert and in providing a home for the Filipinas and for Philippine women’s football.
At the 2025 SEA Games, our Filipinas showed the region what Filipina strength looks like. Discipline, grit, unity,” said SM Mall of Asia Senior AVP for Operations Perkin So. “They fought through pressure in the semifinals, held their nerve in a penalty showdown against defending champions Vietnam, and brought home the gold.”
Another highlight of the Filipinas Homecoming Concert is the formal announcement of the final squad list for the Women’s Asian Cup.
They are, as follows:
GOALKEEPERS
- Olivia Alexandra McDaniel
- Nina Andrea Meollo
- Leah Parker Bradley
DEFENDERS
- Angela Rachael Beard
- Malea Louise Cesar
- Jessika Rebecca Cowart
- Janae Allana DeFazio
- Kaya Hawkinson
- Hali Moriah Long
- Sofia Nicole Wunsch
- Ariana Isabella Markey
MIDFIELDERS
- Jourdyn Curran
- Jaclyn Katrina Sawicki
- Sara Kristine Eggesvik
- Carleigh Frilles
- Jael-Marie Guy
- Natalie Rae Oca
- Isabella Pasion
- Ava Jolina Villapando
FORWARDS
- Alessandrea Carpio
- Anicka Castaneda
- Katrina Jacqueline Guillou
- Chandler Blue McDaniel
- Paige McSwigan
- Alexa Marie Pino
- Mary Louise Ramirez
“There’s too many to name when I say who’s been outstanding,” remarked Filipinas head coach Mark Torcaso. “All the girls have been excellent and it’s created a really big headache for us to pick the best 26 for this Asian Cup.”
Saying that the Asian Cup is also a qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, veteran defender Sofia Wunsch said, “We’re going to use this gold medal momentum and your continued support ahead of this Asian Cup and hopefully we’ll see you in Brazil 2027.”
The schedule of the Filipinas in Group A of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup is as follows (in Philippine time):
- March 1 – PWNFT v Australia, Perth Stadium, Western Australia 5 PM
- March 5 – PWNFT v South Korea, Gold Coast Stadium, Queensland, 11 AM
- March 8 – PWNFT v Iran, Gold Coast Stadium, Queensland, 5 PM
PFF thanks the steadfast support of its partners: PSC, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Studio 300, GOtyme, AIA, Adidas, Alphaland, SM Supermalls, Sip, Gourmet Farms, Hydro Flask, and Sip plus.
