For Team Philippines, the road to the 20th Asian Games has become a collective effort.
Some 446 athletes across 38 sports will don the national colors at the Asian Games, backed by government agencies, private partners and a sporting community united by one goal: Taking home more than the four gold medals won in Hangzhou, China, three years ago.
It is the Philippines' largest Asian Games delegation since the 1994 Hiroshima Games, and with that comes an ambitious target. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) are aiming for at least eight gold medals.
"We're all dreaming anyway, so let's dream big and make it eight," POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said during the ceremonial sendoff at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila last week.
"Why eight? Break it down: Four from Palembang [2018 Asian Games] and four from Hangzhou
The campaign will also open new doors. Mixed martial arts, teqball, surfing, BMX freestyle and padel will make their Asian Games debuts, giving Filipino athletes five fresh stages to test themselves against the best in the continent.
Yet the push for a stronger showing is not resting solely on the competitors.
PSC chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio announced an additional ₱6,000 allowance for every athlete and coach in the delegation, on top of their existing support. He said the funding was a directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "It may be a small thing, but it is the help of the PSC, POC and PHILSPADA [Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled], Gregorio said.
"Let us make this challenge even better."
Gregorio also said the PSC was considering an additional reward for the entire delegation if Team Philippines surpassed its previous gold medal haul.
"If you surpass the four gold medals in Nagoya, I will personally appeal to the PSC commissioners for an additional reward for the entire delegation," he said, without disclosing a specific amount.
Under Republic Act No. 10699, individual Asian Games medalists are entitled to ₱2 million for a gold medal, ₱1 million for silver and ₱400,000 for bronze.
The support system extends beyond government halls.
SportsPlus, Smart Communications, Philippine Airlines and Asia Brewery Incorporated are among the private-sector partners stepping up for the delegation, underscoring the growing role of corporate support in Philippine sports.
"We need private sponsors and support, whether it is the SEA Games, Asian Games or Olympics," Tolentino said.
"Without the support, the athletes cannot make it. It is one of our lifelines"
Gina Iniong, a former ONE Championship atomweight contender who will represent the Philippines in the women's -54kg modern mixed martial arts bracket, said the lifeline can make a tangible difference.
"The support from sponsors means a lot to us," Iniong said at the sendoff.
"When problems arise, they extend a helping hand and put the needs of the athletes first."
Olympian and sports shooter Jayson Valdez echoed that sentiment, particularly for sports that do not command the same following as basketball or boxing.
"It is a huge help, especially for us with a limited audience," Valdez said.
"How can a sports commission move without the help of the private sector, especially for a sport like ours that is expensive?"
Gregorio does not want the eight-gold target to become a burden. Instead, he wants it to serve as a reminder of what this generation of Filipino athletes can accomplish.
"Every athlete we are sending to the Asian Games can win gold," he said.
"Everyone can medal because they are already elite, and we are capable of doing this.
"Let us beat those four gold medals. Let us achieve more. Let us beat the 10 gold medals of our para-athletes. When you come home, you will have a very good Christmas. I assure you."