AFTER a hard-fought showing in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December, it’s now the Philippines para-athletes’ time to banner the country’s flag in the historic 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand.
Fueled by the country’s impressive showing in the biennial meet just a month before, the Philippines is sending its biggest delegation yet in its history of competing in the ASEAN Para Games, with 323 participants, including 216-strong athletes, proud and ready to compete against the region’s best.
The team is eyeing to improve its previous medal tally of 33 golds, 33 silvers, and 50 bronze medals that the delegation won back in 2023 in Cambodia, which propelled them to fifth place — the country’s best finish in the tournament.
With the theme “The United Heart of the Unstoppable”, the Games kicked off on Tuesday, January 20, at the 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Six-time ASEAN Para Games gold medalist, decorated wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, spearheaded Team Philippines during the opening ceremony as the country’s flag bearer.
The Tokyo 2021 Paralympian will look to once again defend his spot at the top podium of the men’s 400m T52 event. Moreover, the 46-year-old will aim to clinch the gold in the 100m, 200m T52, and 800m tournaments.
Mangliwan reprises his role as flagbearer from the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics. He is also a six-time gold medalist in the ASEAN Para Games, ruling the men’s 400m T52 and the 200m T52 events in the 2023 Cambodia.
Para swimmer Angel Otom is also ready to make waves in her third straight regional games appearance. The 21-year-old fast-rising para swimmer from Olongapo City is looking to add to her already stacked seven gold medal haul in the Asean Para Games, which she collected in her first two stints at the 2022 Indonesia Games and 2023 edition held in Cambodia.
Aside from Mangliwan and Otom, Paralympic swimmers Ernie Gawilan, Gary Bejino, and Darrey Bernardo of para chess are also expected to lead the Philippine delegation’s campaign in the five-day tournament.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio emphasized the importance of these games in bringing strength to the community by defying physical limitations through determination, belief, and an unwavering spirit of hope.
Meanwhile, Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) President Michael Barredo explained how this tournament will help our athletes vying to compete in the Asian Para Games in Japan later in the year and even the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
“This ASEAN Para Games is a kick-off season. Some events will also serve as qualifiers for Nagoya and other major competitions. This is where serious preparation begins. Like athletics and swimming, are not just competing here but also working toward rankings and qualifications for bigger events leading up to LA 2028,” Barredo said.