The Philippine flag will fly high at the Ninth Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, as speed skater Peter Groseclose and curling standout Kathleen Dubberstein lead a determined Team Philippines in the prestigious multi-sport event.

On Friday night, Groseclose and Dubberstein will proudly bear the flag during the opening ceremony at the Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center. Their selection is a testament to the country’s growing presence in winter sports and its ambition to make history on the international stage.

A Strong Start in Curling for the Philippines

While this is the Philippines’ debut in curling, the mixed doubles team of Kathleen Dubberstein and Marc Pfister has already exceeded expectations. They stunned higher-ranked teams from South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, and Qatar with three consecutive victories in the round-robin stage before facing a tough 9-6 loss against world No. 15 China.

Despite the setback, the Filipino duo has secured a spot in the quarterfinals, keeping the nation’s medal hopes alive.

“What more could we ask for in an inspiring start to our Asian Winter Games campaign?” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who arrived in Harbin to support the team.

Peter Groseclose Eyes Podium Finish in Speed Skating

Before taking on the honor of flag-bearing, 17-year-old speed skater Peter Groseclose will compete in the 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m heats on Friday morning. The Los Angeles-based athlete, who finished fifth in the 500m at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, is determined to deliver a strong performance despite suffering a foot injury last year.

“I’m ready and excited. Practices have been going well, and I think I’ll be able to give a performance I can be proud of,” said Groseclose.

His best chance at a podium finish is in the 500m and 1,500m events, where he has consistently demonstrated elite-level speed and skill.

Team Philippines’ Winter Warriors

The 20-athlete Filipino contingent will compete across multiple disciplines in Harbin, with hopes of making history in winter sports. Other key athletes to watch include:

• Figure skaters: Paolo Borromeo, Cathryn Limketkai, Sofia Frank, and the pair of Isabella Gamez & Alexander Korovin.
• Alpine skiers: Francis Ceccarelli and Tallulah Proulx, competing in slalom events.
• Snowboarder: Laetaz Amihan Rabe, showcasing skills in freeski slopestyle, big air, and halfpipe.
• Curling squad: Benjo Delarmente, Alan Frei, Christian Haller, Enrico Dubberstein (men’s team), and Anne Bonache, Leilani Dubberstein, Sheila Mariano, Jessica Pfister (women’s team).

Chasing Medals in Harbin

The Philippines is up against 1,255 athletes from 33 nations competing in 64 events across 11 winter sports. However, the team’s promising performance so far has boosted confidence.

“Our curling team is gaining momentum, and there’s a real chance we could bring home a medal,” said Tolentino.

With the curling semifinals and medal matches set for Saturday, and Groseclose gunning for a podium finish in short-track speed skating, Team Philippines could be on the brink of a historic achievement.

For these Filipino athletes, the Asian Winter Games 2025 is more than just a competition—it’s a chance to prove that the Philippines belongs on the global winter sports stage.