By Farah Dhea B. Galvez, BA Comm-4 Centralian Link Intern
Richard H. Guillen Jr. (right) and Joshue Vicente H. Guillen (left) showcased their grit during an intense match at the SEAKFC in Vietnam, held last July 9-12, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Joshue Vicente H. Guillen).
From July 7 to 13, 2026, Centralian karatekas and brothers, Richard H. Guillen Jr. and Joshue Vicente H. Guillen, officially donned the Philippine national colors at the Southeast Asian Karate Federation (SEAKF) Championship in Ninh Binh, Vietnam. Held over four intense days of competition from July 9 to 12, the prestigious tournament brought together elite karate players from across Southeast Asia, including representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Demonstrating world-class skill and Centralian excellence, Richard achieved an impressive Top 7 finish in the Southeast Asia U21 Kata category. Meanwhile, Joshue faced a heartbreak in the tournament bracket; despite a valiant effort, he was unable to advance to the repechage round for a bronze medal. Though they returned without a podium finish, the Guillen brothers captured the hearts of many with their grit, passion, and sportsmanship on the international stage.
Representing the country was a huge honor, but doing it side by side made the experience even more special for the brothers. Behind the roaring crowd and flashing cameras, their strongest pillar of support was each other. Throughout the high-pressure environment, the siblings served as one another’s anchors; they constantly encouraged one another, giving each other confidence before stepping onto the mat. Making their international debut meant making big adjustments, especially during their intense training with Karate Pilipinas. Their biggest challenge was handling the pressure of facing the best athletes in the region. They overcame this by trusting their hard work, staying calm, and focusing on their own matches instead of being intimidated by their opponents.
The competition had its heartbreaking moments. In a very close match that could have given Joshue a chance to fight for a bronze medal, he lost by a narrow score of 2–3. Though he was naturally disappointed by the close result, Joshue chose to stay positive and focus on how grateful he was for the chance to compete against international athletes.
Touching down back in the Philippines on July 13, 2026, the Guillen brothers returned home far more mature and disciplined than when they left. The tournament served as a powerful testament that elite international competition demands not just physical strength, but equal measures of mental toughness, discipline, and self-belief. Driven by a shared promise and a dream that remains fully intact, Richard and Joshue expressed their commitment to pursuing their passion for karate with renewed vigor, determined to work harder, refine their craft, and once again hoping to represent the nation and the university on the global stage.