HANGZHOU - Chess player Darry Bernardo and swimmer Angel Mae Otom will serve as flag-bearers for the Philippines in the 4th Asian Para Games, which kick off here Sunday night at the 80,000-seat Hangzhou Olympic Stadium. Bernardo and Otom were medalists in the 11th Cambodia ASEAN Para Games that concluded in June, claiming six and four gold medals, respectively.
According to News Releases by Philippines News Agency, the duo will lead a Philippine delegation of 46 athletes and officials. Otom, a 20-year-old from Olongapo City, Zambales, expressed her sense of honor at being chosen, saying, 'Hindi ko akalain na isa ako sa mapili na maging flag-bearer. Masayang-masaya po ako at malaking karangalan po ito sa akin.'
Joining them will be Philippine Paralympic Committee chair Mike Barredo, secretary general Goody Custodio, Philippine Sports Commissioners Walter Torres and Ed Hayco, and chef de mission Ral Rosario and deputy Millet Bonoan. Other athletes in the delegation include Cambodia gold medalist in javelin throw Cendy Asusano and visually impaired judokas Carlito Agustin and Deterson Omas, who are bronze medalists.
The Philippine para-athletes collected a total of 10 gold, 8 silver, and 11 bronze medals in the 2018 edition of the Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. The ongoing games in athletics, archery, swimming, powerlifting, and taekwondo will also serve as qualifying events for the Paris Paralympic Games next year.