The Philippines is set to make a powerful statement at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, with veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan and pioneering para archer Agustina Bantiloc chosen as the nation’s flag-bearers for the grand outdoor opening ceremony. The prestigious event will take place on Wednesday at the iconic Champs-Elysées, culminating at Place de la Concorde in Paris, France.
Gawilan and Bantiloc, alongside their fellow athletes, will proudly represent the Philippines during the parade. Joining them on this momentous occasion are para track and field stars Jerrold Mangliwan and Cendy Asusano, para swimmer Angel Mae Otom, and para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin. This announcement was made by the PH Paralympic team’s chef de mission, Ral Rosario.
“We had several discussions about who will be the standard-bearers at the opening ceremony with the coaches, and it was decided among us that Ernie and Tina were the athletes to do it,” Rosario shared from the French capital.
Gawilan, who has been a national para swimming icon and a role model for Filipino para athletes, and Bantiloc, the country’s first para archer to qualify for the Paralympic Games, are both highly respected figures in their respective sports. This distinction, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, highlights their significant contributions to the nation.
Rosario, a former two-time Olympian and national swimming standout, emphasized that the focus was on ensuring that the athletes themselves could experience this unforgettable moment. “The priority, of course, for the parade were our athletes so they can experience this memorable moment in their lives,” he added.
Bantiloc, 56, expressed her pride and gratitude for the honor of carrying the Philippine flag alongside Gawilan, who was a gold medalist in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games. “I’m proud and happy, of course. This will be a huge help to me,” said Bantiloc, who will compete in the women’s individual compound event at the Esplanade des Invalides archery range on Thursday.
Rosario also revealed that the Philippine delegation was initially allotted 15 to 16 slots for the parade, but this was reduced to 10 by the Paris Paralympic Games organizers. To ensure more athletes could participate, Rosario and national para coaches Joel Deriada and Tony Ong decided to forgo their spots.
“We decided to give way so other team members could join the opening-day festivities,” Deriada confirmed.
As the Philippines takes its place on the world stage, Gawilan, Bantiloc, and the entire para-athlete delegation carry the hopes and dreams of a nation eager to witness their triumphs in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
