BETTER DAYS
Senator Sonny Angara
Aug. 6, 2022 marked the conclusion of the 11th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games held in Surakarta, Indonesia. The Para Games are a biennial multi-sport tournament featuring differently-abled athletes from the region held after every SEA Games. More than a tournament, it is a display of how these individuals courageously overcome their disabilities to triumph in their respective sports.
Our very own Filipino para-athletes put on a historic performance in the latest edition of the ASEAN Para Games. They brought home 104 medals, which placed Team Philippines fifth in the overall rankings. Our medal haul was composed of 28 golds, 30 silvers, and 46 bronzes, which is the best result of the country since the ASEAN Para Games began in 2001.
Our 3x3 wheelchair basketball team won silver and secured the first medal of the country in the tourney, arguably jumpstarting our historic medal haul. Known as the Philippine Warriors, they are composed of Alfie Cabañog, Rene Macabenguil, Kenneth Christopher Tapia, Cleford Trocino, John Rey Escalante, and head coach Vernon Perea.
Meanwhile, Ernie Gawilan bagged the country’s first gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle event in swimming with sports articles describing how foreign spectators were made to witness the Tokyo Paralympian and the reigning Asian champion’s “greatness in the flesh.”
Commendation must also be given to para-chessers Darry Bernardo, Menandro Redor, Arman Subaste, Cheyzer Mendoza, Cheryl Angot, and Jean-Lee Nacita who sweeped men’s, women’s, and team blitz events in chess respectively. Their mastery earned 10 gold medals, 11 silvers, and five bronze medals to cap the best-ever finish for the Philippine Chess Team.
There is also Cendy Asusano who bagged two gold medals in women’s shot put and in women’s javelin throw, breaking the previous record she set in 2017. Her unwavering determination made her accomplish the feat despite being disqualified in one of her early attempts due to a loose strap in her wheelchair.
Among the victors is Angel Otom who became the first ever triple gold winner in the ASEAN Para Games.
The armless 19-year-old from Olongapo City outclassed her opponents in swimming by finishing first in various events and shattering time records with news reports even saying that her competitors did not even come close to reaching Otom’s feet. But beyond her accomplishments, it is Angel’s positive outlook and unrelenting spirit that we should truly be most proud of, particularly when she said in an interview that people like her should be aware that they are more than capable despite their physical challenges.
Adequate support from both the public and private sector appear to have been key factors to our improved performance. Combining this with the prowess, skill, and willpower of our athletes, the ambition that motivated them and the hard work they invested completes the winning formula.
For their triumphs at the ASEAN Para-Games, our para-athletes will already receive some reward as we Filipinos aim to give credit where it is due. In 2015, we instituted a state policy for rewarding athletic accomplishments with the enactment of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, which we authored and sponsored. The law, among others, increased the cash incentives to athletes and their coaches who won in international competitions such as the Olympics and other similar global and regional sporting events.
Few know that because of RA 10699 our winning para-athletes are also entitled to benefits and incentives. In fact, since the law was enacted, up to ₱20.154 million has been given out to our victorious para-athletes, including many from Team Philippines who competed at Surakarta 2022.
The great boxer Muhammad Ali is supposed to have once said: “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” We think that the incentives we have institutionalized have somehow helped fuel that desire, dream, or vision among our athletes.
This is why among our priority bills for the 19th Congress is Senate Bill No. 326 which increases the amount of cash incentives being given to our sporting heroes. The measure also seeks to free our national athletes, coaches and donors from the burden of having their rewards, benefits, and other incentives taxed under existing rules and regulations.
It is only proper that our athletes receive due recognition as their stories of triumph can inspire all Filipinos to pursue excellence in their daily lives. Hopefully, by shining a light on their many achievements, we inspire ourselves to follow in their footsteps and reach for success — especially after being mired in a humanitarian crisis for roughly three years now.
E-mail: [email protected]| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara
Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 18 years — nine years as Representative of the lone District of Aurora, and nine as Senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 250 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.