The Philippine delegation is set for a spirited campaign at the upcoming ASEAN Para Games, with a formidable contingent of 216 athletes ready to compete. The regional sporting event for athletes with disabilities will be held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from January 20 to 26, 2026.
Veteran Paralympian to Lead the Parade
The honor of carrying the national flag during the opening ceremony's parade of nations has been bestowed upon a seasoned competitor. Wheelchair racer Jerrold Pete Mangliwan, a veteran of three Paralympic Games (2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo, and 2024 Paris), will proudly lead Team Philippines into the stadium on January 20.
Philippine Paralympic Committee Secretary General Goody Custodio, who will serve as chef de mission, reported that the athletes have resumed training with high morale following the holiday break. She will be assisted by Milette Bonoan and Francis Diaz. The delegation will travel to Thailand in three groups, with two batches departing on January 15 and the final one on January 16.
Medal Prospects and Strategic Focus
While the team will participate in most of the 19 sports on the calendar, they will not be competing in blind football, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair shooting. Chef de Mission Custodio has identified several sports where the Philippines has strong potential to reach the podium.
"We are looking at cycling, badminton, and table tennis as some of our key medal prospects," Custodio stated. She and Bonoan will leave earlier on January 12 to attend the crucial chef de mission meeting in Thailand.
Aiming to Surpass the 2023 Performance
The Philippine team enters the competition with the goal of improving its standing from the previous edition. In the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia, the Philippines finished in fifth place in the overall medal tally.
The medal count from that campaign included:
- 33 gold medals
- 33 silver medals
- 50 bronze medals
Swimmer Angel Mae Otom was a standout performer, contributing four of the country's 33 gold medals. The nation trailed behind Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia in the final rankings. With a larger delegation and focused preparation, Team Philippines is determined to climb higher in the standings and bring home more glory in 2026.
