A nine-man Philippine para swimming team headed by Tokyo Paralympians Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino left for Singapore Tuesday, April 25, to compete in the Citi Para Swimming World Series slated April 29 to May 2 at the OCBC Aquatic Centre.

The Philippine Para Swimming Team is scheduled to compete in Singapore starting this weekend. (Philspada's Facebook page)

Joining Gawilan and Bejino in the meet are 2022 Asean Para Games triple gold medalists Ariel Alegarbes and Angel Otom, as well as Roland Sabido, Arnel Aba, Edwin Villanueva, Muhaimin Ulag and Marco Tinamisan.

Coaches Antonio Ong, Brian Ong and Ral Rosario accompany the squad.

The 2023 World Series is taking place in nine countries across four continents with Singapore as the only Asian stop.

More than 150 para swimmers are expected to participate in the Singapore meet, which serves as a qualifier for the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester, England in July.

The said world championships is a direct qualifier to the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

The Singapore event is also part of the team’s buildup for the 2023 Asean Para Games that Cambodia is hosting from June 3 to 9.

All nine swimmers are part of the Asean Para Games-bound squad, which also has Adrian Azul, Beariza Roble and Claire Calizo.