CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Despite being differently abled, 16 out of 32 para-athletes from Pampanga brought honor to the province after bagging 13 gold, 12 silver, and 11 bronze medals during the recently concluded 6th Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled National Para Games (PHILSPADA-NPG ).
The PHILSPADA-NPG was held in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City from May 12-19, this year.
Leading the gold medal harvest is para-athlete Eliza Baluyut with an orthopedic disability who took home three golds for Shot-put Throw, Discus Throw, and Javelin Throw competitions.
Mary Ann S. Zamora with an orthopedic disability, concurrent Persons with Disabilities Affairs Officer (PDAO) won one gold for Shot-Put Throw and two silvers for Discus Throw and Javelin Throw.
Rommel Laurencio, also with orthopedic disability added three gold medals for the 200-meter dash, Table Tennis (Open), Table Tennis (Singles) events and two silvers for Table Tennis (Doubles) and 4 x 100-meter dash.
Maria Mercedes Ponce, with visual impairment, got one gold for Discus Throw, one silver for Shot-put Throw and one Bronze for Javelin Throw.
Christian Tengco, with an orthopedic disability, bagged one gold for Discus Throw and a silver for Javelin Throw.
Para-athlete Saira Jane P. Alburo with orthopedic disability won two gold medals for Discus Throw and Javelin Throw events.
Christian Medrano, with an orthopedic disability brought home one gold for Long Jump, one silver for 4 x 100-meter relay and a bronze for the 800-meter dash.
Powerlifter Alvin Santiago with orthopedic disability bagged one gold medal for Powerlifting event.
Other PHILSPADA winners are the following: Ronnel B. Cacho (orthopaedic Disability) got one bronze for 4 x 100 meter relay, one silver for Long Jump and another silver for 100 meter dash; Wilma Waje with orthopaedic disability got two silvers for Discus Throw and Shot-put Throw; Jessie Turla with cerebral palsy got one bronze for Javelin Throw; Elvin with orthopaedic disability got one bronze Javelin Throw; Eduardo Mendoza with orthopaedic disability two silvers for 100 meter dash and 4 x 100 meter relay and bronze for long jump; Marybelle Angeles, a deaf got silver for Shot-put Throw; Jannyl Rivera, deaf won two bronzes for Discus Throw and Javelin Throw and another Deaf Angelito Barro II got a bronze medal for Javelin Throw.
Zamora said Philspada PNG aims to identify the new core of athletes for possible inclusion in national teams for future participation in international competitions, like ASEAN Para Games, Asia Youth Para Games, and the World Para Games and Paralympics.
“As part of the inclusive program of the government, our PWD athletes should be ensured support by the provincial government for future national, regional and international Paralympic games as they, too, can bring again pride and honor to the province and the country,” the PDAO head said.
Zamora said Pampanga sent 32 para-athletes including 12 from Mabalacat City led by Michael Miranda, Mabalacap PDAO head.
At least more than 700 participants including the PWDs, coaches, and officials from all over the country competed in ten Paralympic sports events.
AIDA B. BUNGUE
