Sibling Duo Aims for Double Gold at Southeast Asian Games

In an emotional moment at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Chonburi, Naomi Cesar captured the women's 800-meter gold medal by a razor-thin margin of 0.1 seconds over Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Thu Ha. Watching from their hotel alongside the Philippine Women's Football Team, Naomi's older sister Malea was moved to tears.

The excitement continues as Malea, a 22-year-old defender for the Philippine football team, aims to secure a second gold for the Cesar family when the Filipinas face off against Vietnam in the women's football final at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium.

Both sisters are daughters of Ben Cesar, a former national sprinter who competed in the 1991 SEA Games in Manila before relocating to the United States, where Malea, Naomi, and their brother Avery were born.

While both siblings were involved in football and athletics during their youth, they eventually specialized in different sports. Malea admits her passion has always been football. "I did a little bit in high school," she said of athletics, "but I've always loved football more. I like to chase the ball instead of just running."

Naomi, on the other hand, transitioned from football—having been part of the Philippine youth teams including the U17 national squad—to excelling in athletics. "She did a little bit with the U17 national teams as well, but she always stood out in running," Malea explained.

Growing up under the influence of their father, the siblings have long understood the magnitude of competing at the SEA Games. Malea, a bronze medalist from the 2022 Hanoi SEA Games, is now poised to upgrade to gold alongside her sister.

"It's something we talked about a lot and heard about often growing up because of our dad," Malea shared. "He ran in the SEA Games too. We know what it means to be here. It's an honor that we do not take lightly."

The Cesar sisters embody their family's sporting legacy as they chase glory in their respective disciplines at this prestigious regional event.