A surge of victories in athletics, swimming, and chess propelled the Philippines to new heights at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, solidifying their fourth-place standing in the medal tally and exceeding previous achievements.
The track and field arena witnessed a golden sweep as Cleford Trocino, Evenezer Celebrado, and Cyril Cloyd Ongcoy each claimed the top spot on the podium. Trocino dominated the men’s 800-meter T52, finishing in an impressive 2:00.16, narrowly beating his fellow Filipino competitor, Jerrold Pete Mangliwan.
Gary Bejino continued his remarkable performance in the pool, securing his fourth gold medal of the games. His consistent dominance has been a cornerstone of the Philippines’ success, showcasing incredible athleticism and dedication.
The chess competition proved equally fruitful, with FIDE Master Sander Severino and Darry Bernardo adding to the gold medal count. Both players demonstrated exceptional skill and strategic thinking, navigating challenging opponents to achieve victory.
Severino’s path to gold was particularly dramatic, overcoming Indonesian rivals in the final rounds. A tiebreaker was needed to secure his win against Maksum Firdaus, both finishing with five points, highlighting the intense competition.
Bernardo enjoyed a more straightforward victory, securing gold with 5.5 points after a decisive final round split with Indonesia’s Adji Hartono. His performance left his competitors trailing, securing a clear lead in the standings.
These triumphs boosted the Philippines’ overall medal haul to an impressive 37 gold, 27 silver, and 43 bronze medals. This places them firmly behind Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but significantly ahead of other competing nations.
This year’s performance marks a substantial improvement over the 2022 ASEAN Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where the Philippines finished fifth with 33 gold, 33 silver, and 50 bronze medals. The athletes have demonstrably raised the bar for future competitions.
