Yes, it's hot in the Philippines. But training in the Thailand heat is a different challenge altogether.
That's one of the things Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, and the rest of Team Philippines boxing is weathering—along with the adjustments to make their weight—as they prepare for SEA Games 2025.
"Doon kami nanibago talaga sa init. Kaya grabeng adjustment din po talaga namin," Petecio told One Sports during the flag-raising ceremony for the 11 participating nations in Bangkok.
The Philippine boxing team has been training in Muak Lek in southern Thailand. While the tropical heat is nothing new to Filipinos, the temperature difference is drastic compared to say, training in the cool, mountain city of Baguio.
"Kung mainit sa Pilipinas, mas triple yung init dito. Nakakaapekto din po talaga sa'min," she recounted.
Team Philippines even had to make changes due to the heat, as Marvin Tabamo fell ill during their training camp. The number of male boxers were down to seven.
Nesthy Petecio: From 57kg to 63kg
Petecio's weight division change from the Paris to the Bangkok is quite sharp.
From competing and clinching bronze in her "fighting weight" of 57kg in Olympics 2024, Petecio will be moving up to 63kg in the SEA Games 2025.
"Mas may chance po talaga doon, kaunti lang kami doon. Ang hinahanap nga natin dito 'yung magkaka-medal tayo kaagad," she said, noting that there will be four boxers in the light welterweight division.
"Ayun naninibago," Petecio added, then speaking in Bisaya. "Mabibigat na suntukan na po talaga 'to. So good luck na lang po talaga 'yung taba taba ko ngayon."
Hergie Bacyadan: From 81kg to 70 kg
Hergie Bacyadan has the opposite problem.
She competed in 75kg in Paris 2024 and rose further to 81kg.
A month before SEA Games 2025, she didn't expect to get the call.
"Ayun, biglaan. Almost two weeks na 'yung preparation ko. Pero okay lang, nararamdaman ko naman yung siguro talagang planted ni Lord. Talagang inalis ko na yun sa bucketlist ko ng 2025 eh. Pero talagang, mabait talaga si Lord na 'sige labanan mo 'yan, kasi may chance. Malaki yung chance mo na mag-medal dito.' Kaya kailangan, kailangan."
That call came from Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary general Marcus Manalo, asking Hergie if she can still compete.
From 81kg, Bacyadan has successfully shed weight and is now down to 73kg. But she needs to cut further to 70kg.
"'Pag nakuha mo 'yung kalahati ng timbang mo, lupaypay ka talaga. Kaya sana, hopefully, maganda yung kundisyon ko pa rin. Kahit nakuha ko 'yung timbang ko, sana bumalik rin 'yung lakas," she said.
Bacyadan was also taking care of her wife, Lady Denily Digo, as they are expecting their first child via in vitro fertilization (IVF). She's now five months along.
"Kaya talagang wala akong ibang inatupag kundi magluto, kumain, mag-training," the boxer said. "Pero sisikapin ko pa rin na maging normal lang lahat."
[ALSO READ: Olympian Hergie Bacyadan, wife Lady Denily share pregnancy news on wedding anniversary]
Plenty of challenges for Team Philippines boxing, but they have a lot to fight for.
For Bacyadan, it's the growing family waiting back home.
"Nami-miss niya raw ako. Sabi ko nga, malapit na kong umuwi, ginaganon ko na lang. Iwas ka sa stress, 'wag mo na muna akong isipin, okay lang ako rito. Pag-uwi ko, babawi ako sa 'yo," Hergie said.
For Petecio, it's the carrying the will of their teammate Tabamo.
"Sinabi niya talaga sa aming lahat na, 'yung laban niyo rito, isama niyo ko. So 'Kap, matik 'yan."
The remaining male boxers for Team Philippines are Jay Bryan Baricuatro (48kg), Flint Jara (54kg), Ian Clark Bautista (57kg), Junmilardo Ogayre (60kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (69kg), Weljon Mindoro (75kg), and Eumir Marcial (80kg).
Joining Petecio and Bacyadan are Ofelia Magno (48kg), Aira Villegas (50kg), Claudine Veloso (54kg), and Riza Pasuit (60kg).
The boxing events begin December 10.
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, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.