The torch burns with a blazing ember and the stage has now been set in fiery motion. Salingkusog 2025 has finally been put into play after several pauses. The factions are now pulling out their best cards, all with the same goal — domination. Yet despite intense competition and the sheer drive to conquer, the very essence of the Salingkusog games remains the same. Here to remind us of that is a lineup of star players and noteworthy characters in this year’s Salingkusog episode. Leading the light this Salingkusog are Gian John Lucino, Niña Joy Pacabis, Ana Mae Albesa, Xander Johanne Canin, and Jessely Reyan Roman — torchbearers and forerunners in igniting the flame.