DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Asian Youth Para Games ended on a high note for Team Philippines after the country’s young para athletes delivered a breakthrough performance that far exceeded expectations in Dubai.

With official overall standings still pending at press time, the Philippine delegation finished with an impressive haul of eight gold, 14 silver, and eight bronze medals, a dramatic leap from its previous output in Manama, Bahrain.

The showing marked a significant milestone for the national youth para program, underscoring steady progress across multiple sports in just two days of competition.

Para swimming leads medal surge

Para swimmers powered the Philippines’ campaign, accounting for the bulk of the medals with six gold, six silver, and two bronze finishes.

Ric Daniel Pasadilla emerged as the most bemedalled Filipino athlete of the meet, capturing three gold medals in the boys’ 12–16 200-meter individual medley SM10, 100m backstroke S10, and 100m butterfly S10. The 13-year-old also added a silver in the 100m freestyle S10 and a bronze in the 100m breaststroke SB9.

Mary Hannah Diesto, Raemond Adefuin, Zach Lucas Obsioma, and Bladimir Sebastian Gonzales also contributed to the swimming medal surge, reinforcing the Philippines’ growing strength in the pool.

Track and field, table tennis add depth

Para athletics delivered two gold medals through John Rey Diano in the men’s long jump U20 T20 and RJ Brucal in the men’s long jump T20 U17, adding to the team’s momentum.

The sport also produced five silver medals and two bronzes across jumping, sprinting, and throwing events, highlighting depth and competitiveness in the track and field program.

Additional podium finishes came from para table tennis, with a silver from Lhey Manginsay and three bronzes spread across singles and mixed doubles events. Medals also arrived from boccia, para badminton, and para archery, further broadening the Philippines’ medal base.

Youth pipeline showing results

Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo credited the result to years of groundwork in youth development, particularly the strong linkage with the Palarong Pambansa.

Several medalists were identified through the national school-based competition, reinforcing the importance of grassroots talent identification and early exposure to high-level competition.

Barredo also praised the coaches and regional programs for expanding awareness and participation in para sports nationwide, saying the Dubai results offer a clear preview of what the country’s next generation can achieve on the international stage.