Filipino athlete Erica Samonte is eyeing to represent the Philippines in the upcoming 2017 South East Asian (SEA) Games this August 2017. She has already competed in a couple of competitions including the 2011 SEA Games where she won 2 bronze medals for the country and has also competed in the ISKF Master Camp Tournament in Philadelphia, USA in June 2016 where she won gold.

In a letter, Erica hopes to be in Thailand to compete in the 2nd Thailand Karate Open on April 20-24. This is part of the Philippine Karate Federation’s evaluation step for the SEA Games selection line up. She further details that all expenses shall be upon the athlete’s personal account which is expected to range from 36,000-40,000PHP, which includes airfare, accommodations and registration for the said competition. Once Erica makes it big in this competition in Thailand and gets shortlisted for the 2017 SEA Games in August, the country will be shouldering all expenses to send her for the tournament.

Erica hails from Pampanga but is currently residing in Antipolo, Rizal. She has started doing Karate since April of 2005 and has persevered through all trainings and competitions. She dreams big and wants to make a mark, not just for herself, but also for the country. “I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the Filipinos in Thailand for their support! Their support inspires and pushes me, and the rest of the team, more to train harder. We will make them, and the rest of the Filipinos, proud!”, she said in a Facebook interview.

If you wish to be part of Erica’s dream, you may contact her through her email at ericacbsamonte@yahoo.com, or send her a private message on her Facebook account.