Jerrold Mangliwan and the rest of Team Philippines will be aiming to improve on their fifth place finish from the 2023 edition of the ASEAN Para Games.
Decorated wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan led Team Philippines during the opening ceremony of the 13th ASEAN Para Games on Tuesday, January 20, at the 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
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 in the men's 400m T52 and the 200m T52 event from 2023 Cambodia.
He led 44 delegates from Team Philippines in the opening ceremony.
The 46-year-old will be looking to defend his reign in the 400m event, as well as clinch the gold in the 100m and 800m events.
The Philippines is sending its largest delegation yet with 323 participants, including 212 athletes, in a bid to improve its 34-33-50 in Cambodia. That was the Filipinos' best finish so far, reaching fifth place.
Themed "The United Heart of the Unstoppable", this year's Para Games aims to show that "strength is not defined by physical limitations, but driven by determination, belief, and an unwavering spirit of hope."
Continuing on this theme, the main stage of the opening ceremony has a concept of "endless connectivity" to show individual journeys coming together as a shared experience as well as the power of cooperation.
Like the 33rd SEA Games, the Para Games cauldron will also be a digital one to promote sustainability.
The third performance of the opening ceremony focuses on the "rhythm of the heart", featuring flowers for each nation.
The Philippines is represented by the Pud Kaew flower, which "reflects a spirit of hope, joy, and the strength of communities that support and uplift one another."
Competition will last from January 21 to 25.
Officially starting things off for Team Philippines will be Paralympic swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino competing at the para swimming events at 9:30 a.m. (Philippine time).
The men's and women's 3x3 wheelchair basketball teams will be battling for gold on Wednesday against hosts Thailand.
Mangliwan himself will be aiming to defend his 400m T52 gold medal as part of the athletics events tomorrow.
Also competing on January 21 are delegates in para powerlifting, tenpin bowling, chess, para road cycling, para fencing, wheelchair tennis, sitting volleyball, para table tennis, Boccia, and para badminton.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio announced an additional P6,000 to the para athletes and coaches.
"The government is giving full support to the Philippine Sports Commission at yung ibang other private sectors tumutulong. Sa akin, importante, the same additional incentives ay binibigay ng PSC through chairman Patrick Gregorio," noted Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo.
"Laging boost yan and I think lahat ng bagay na ‘yan nakakatulong. I’m glad that is the spirit we have altogether and like I said, it’s the fighting spirit of the team, the coaches and the Filipino people in general."
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | Philippines at 13th ASEAN Para Games]
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.