First-time Olympians Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx carried the Philippine flag during the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony.
Alpine skiiers and first-time Olympians Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx carried the Philippine flag for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.
The sole representatives of the Philippines appeared in a widespread and simultaneous ceremony near their competition venue for giant slalom and slalom.
Ceccarelli was the flag bearer for the Philippines in the Livigno Snow Park, while Proulx waved the flag in Cortina City Centre.
Competitiors also appeared in the main venue of Milan's San Siro Olympic Stadium, as well as in Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in the first widespread parade of athletes.
Ceccarelli and Proulx are the fifth and sixth alpine skiiers, respectively, to represent the Philippines in the Winter Games.
The 22-year-old Ceccarelli finds himself in a rare situation of playing for his home nation of the Philippines--being born in Quezon City--while competing in another home nation--being adopted by Italian parents and living in Italy.
He is also an Olympic Solidarity athlete, having received scholarship for his training.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Proulx carries the distinction of being the first Fiipina to compete in the Winter Olympics. She is also the youngest.
[ALSO READ: Francis Ceccarelli, Tallulah Proulx represent Philippines at 2026 Winter Olympics]
Both alpine skiiers will compete in the giant slalom and slalom events starting February 14.
This is the seventh time that the Philippines sent a delegation to the Olympic Winter Games, with the first in 1972 Sapporo. Juan Cipriano and Ben Nanasca competed in alpine skiing.
This is also the fourth consecutive Winter Games that the country has sent a representative, starting from 2014 Sochi with figure skater Michael Christian Martinez.
Alpine skiier Asa Miller was the last athlete for the Philippines in 2022 Beijing.
The Philippines has yet to win an Olympic Winter Games medal.
The opening and closing ceremonies are aired live via Pilipinas Live and One Sports+, with catchup telecasts on One Sports.
Daily highlights will be available on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app.
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Para Games, Asian Games, FIBA World Cup, and FIVB World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.