25 Oct More Than Medals: A Salute to the Filipino Para Athletes Who Made Us Proud in the 5th Asian Para Games
The final results are in. The competition is over. But for the Filipino athletes who represented the country at the 5th Asian Para Games, their stories deserve to be told long after the final event has concluded.
In Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Para Team Philippines finished its campaign with two gold medals, two silver medals, and three bronze medals. Seven medals earned through hard work, preparation, sacrifice, and the determination to compete against some of the best para athletes in Asia.
But this story is about more than seven medals.
It is about the Filipinos who worked hard for the opportunity to represent their country. The athletes who dedicated countless hours to their respective sports, faced the pressure of international competition, and proudly wore the Philippine colors on a stage where every performance mattered.
Most importantly, it is about giving these athletes the recognition they deserve.
To our gold medalists, Ernie Gawilan and Arjay Alegarbes, congratulations on bringing home the gold. Your achievements gave the country reasons to celebrate and showed the rewards of years of preparation, discipline, and commitment to your sport.
To our silver medalists, Gawilan, Wilfred Redulla, and Lhey Manginsay, congratulations on adding to the country’s medal haul. Your performances gave Filipinos more moments to celebrate and further highlighted the talent of our para athletes.
And to our bronze medalists, Raemond Adefuin, King James Reyes, and Ma. Ravinia Carpena, congratulations on earning your place on the podium. Thank you for giving your best and bringing more pride to the Philippine delegation.
Seven medals. Seven reasons to celebrate. And countless hours of work behind every achievement.
But the recognition should not end with those who stood on the podium.
To every Filipino para athlete who competed in Nagoya, whether you returned home with a medal or not, thank you. You represented the country, competed against Asia’s best, and became part of a delegation that carried the hopes and pride of the Filipino people.
We know that reaching an international competition takes more than talent. It requires discipline, commitment, and sacrifices that are not always visible to the public. It means showing up for training, working to improve, and preparing for the moment when you finally get the chance to compete on the international stage.
Your determination, talent, and dedication are a testament to the hard work you put into your sport. You are athletes who continue to train, compete, improve, and pursue excellence. You deserve to be recognized for your performances, your commitment, and the pride you bring to the Philippines.
You do not need a medal to prove that you belong.
Every athlete who stepped onto the field of play earned the opportunity to be there through their own journey. Some came home with medals, while others gained experience and memories that will help shape the next chapter of their careers. Their results may differ, but every member of this delegation deserves recognition for the work it took to reach this level.
And behind these athletes are people who shared the journey with them.
To the families who supported their dreams, the coaches who guided their preparation, the trainers and medical personnel who helped them compete, and everyone who worked behind the scenes, thank you. Your encouragement, time, and commitment helped make this campaign possible. When our athletes carried the Philippine flag in Nagoya, they carried with them the support of the people who believed in them long before the competition began.
As we close the chapter on the 5th Asian Para Games, let us celebrate our two golds, two silvers, and three bronzes. Let us congratulate the medalists and recognize the entire delegation that represented the Philippines in Nagoya.
To Para Team Philippines, thank you for carrying our flag and representing the country with pride. Every medal, every performance, and every effort you gave in Nagoya is part of a campaign worth celebrating.
You are more than the medals you won. You are Filipino athletes who have earned your place on the international stage, and you deserve to be recognized for the dedication, discipline, and hard work that brought you there.
May your journey inspire more young Filipinos with disabilities to pursue their sporting dreams and proudly represent the country someday.
To every member of the delegation, and to the families and teams who stood behind you, maraming salamat.
You made the country proud. Long after the medals have been counted, your contribution to Philippine sports deserves to be remembered.
Mabuhay ang Para Team Philippines! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!