PRESIDENT MARCOS LAUDS PARA-ATHLETES

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lauded the Filipino athletes’ triumphant campaign in the recently-concluded 11th ASEAN Para Games in Indonesia with a total medal haul of 28 golds, 31 silvers, and 47 bronzes in 14 disciplines.

Marcos, on his Facebook post, said: “Binabati natin ang ating mga kampeon sa katatapos lamang na 2022 ASEAN Para Games na ginanap sa Indonesia. Pinatunayan nila na hindi hadlang ang kanilang kapansanan upang makamit ang tagumpay (We congratulate our champions at the recently concluded 2022 ASEAN Para Games held in Indonesia. They proved that their disability is not an obstacle to achieve success).”

He also praised Team Philippines for being a source of inspiration to Filipinos.

“Ang kanilang katatagan at dedikasyon ay isang mabuting huwaran sa bawat kabataang nangangarap maging isang atleta (Their tenacity and dedication are worthy of emulation for every young person who dreams of becoming an athlete),” Marcos added.

The last batch of Filipino delegates was received with a grand welcome on Monday, August 8.

President receives delegations call

The President will also receive the victorious Philippine delegation at Malacañang in a courtesy call that is being arranged by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Team Philippines’ harvest surpassed the best 24-24-26 recorded in the 2009 edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Executive Director and acting officer-in-charge Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. said the PSC is arranging the highly-anticipated courtesy visit to the President who he claimed to be the nation’s No. 1 sports fan.

Iroy said, “This is another milestone for Team Philippines. We have surpassed our past APG participation with this big medal haul for this edition. The agency thanks you all for such an inspiring performance. We are all very proud of you.”

The Filipino chess team swept four golds at the Lo-rin Hotel in Surakarta, Indonesia to wrap up the country’s rousing stint in the Games. The Philippines dominated the men’s B2-B3, women’s PI individual, and team blitz events.

The Philippines retained its No. 5 ranking amid the fact that most athletes were competing in their first competition abroad after five years.

Philippine Paralympic Committee

Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) president Mike Barredo, for his part, said, “We are all so proud of our Filipino para-athletes in overcoming many severe challenges so they can excel and come back to the country with their best performance yet in the 11th ASEAN Para Games.”

He also said that although the team maintained its fifth overall finish, the improved total medal output showed how determined and hungry the athletes were. The sterling feats of the team, according to him, will further boost the athletes in training harder and better for the ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia next year.

PSC Commissioner Bong Coo

PSC Commissioner Bong Coo said, “Ang buong Pilipinas ay ipinagdiriwang ang tagumpay ng ating mga para-athletes sa 11th ASEAN Para Games. Ito ay patunay na para sa atletang Pilipino ay walang anumang balakid o kakulangan ang makakahadlang kung ang nakataya ay karangalan ng bayan. Buong-buo ang iyong puso para sa bansa (The entire Philippines is celebrating the success of our para-athletes in the 11th ASEAN Para Games. This is proof that for the Filipino athlete, no obstacle or disability can stand in the way of giving honor to the country. Your heart is whole for the country).”

Philippines 2022 ASEAN Para Games deputy chef de mission Tricia Biglete Rana, during the PSC Hour program aired via the PSC Facebook page, said the para-athletes’ will to win stemmed from the inspiration to give honor to the country as a way of giving back to the supportive national government through the PSC.

“Malaking tulong po talaga ang ginawa ng PSC (The PSC really helped a lot)” Rana said.

Irene Soriano Remo, also a deputy chef de mission, cited PSC’s 100 percent support to the delegation of athletes, coaches, and officials. Remo added, “Magmula sa training at pagpunta sa competition. Mas mabilis na yung proseso gaya ng naibibigay sa mga abled athletes, ganun na rin po yung naibibigay sa mga para-athletes natin (From training to competition. The process is faster as it is given to abled athletes, the same is given to our para-athletes). “