![Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino lead the Philippines’ gold rush at the ASEAN Para Games [photo credit: APG2025 Media Pool]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/5e386f1f-6e69-46f3-9481-575cd151f7b0-400x200.jpg)
Filipino para swimmers dominated the pool in Nakhon Ratchasima, with Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino breaking records and winning multiple gold medals at the 13th ASEAN Para Games.
![The men’s final was a hard-fought match with the Pilipinas Warriors taking silver against Thailand [photo credit: Francis Diaz Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/616046513_10237859065003273_2560078955656335115_n-400x200.jpg)
Philippine para swimmers Gary Bejino and Ernie Gawilan opened the medal haul at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with gold medals in the men’s 400m freestyle events. Other Filipino athletes also secured silver and bronze medals in para basketball, powerlifting, cycling, and bowling.
![Mervin Guarte [photo credit: Mervin Guarte Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/459674516_1906072233194584_7968847504512624786_n-400x200.jpg)
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, paralympian Ernie Gawilan, and the sports community demand justice for Mervin Guarte, the two-time SEA Games gold medalist and Air Force serviceman tragically killed in Oriental Mindoro.
![Men's 400-meter freestyle S6-S7 gold medalist Christian Benedict Paulino [PSC photo release]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/462554842_3952365155042782_2519622403265292416_n-e1731336738669-400x200.jpg)
Christian Benedict Paulino, representing Quezon City, claimed the first gold medal at the 8th Philippine National Para Games in Manila. He triumphed in the men’s 400m freestyle S6-S7, paving the way for other athletes in this inspiring event backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.
![Ernie Gawilan during the 2023 Asian Para Games [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/394537104_1027930658403942_5463853490755918089_n-e1725288385613-400x200.jpg)
Ernie Gawilan advances to the finals in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. With a strategic performance in the heats and a personal best time, Gawilan is set to make a strong showing in the finals.
![Ernie Gawilan at the 2024 Paris Paralympics [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1000026726-400x200.jpg)
Filipino para swimmer Ernie Gawilan has qualified for the final of the men’s 400m freestyle S7 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Gawilan, who finished first in his heat with a time of 5:00.13, aims to improve upon his previous Paralympic performance and compete for a medal in the final.
![Ernie Gawilan of the Philippines [PSC Media pool photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/395684889_1467268297449063_6277101446307615617_n-400x200.jpg)
Veteran Filipino para swimmer Ernie Gawilan achieved the coveted golden breakthrough for Team Philippines on Tuesday night, October 24, to retain the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 crown in runaway fashion at the Asian Para Games 2023 swimming championships.
![Ernie Gawilan splashes his way to a bronze medal in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games swimming meet Monday night at the HOC Aquatic Arena. [PSC Media pool]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/395121137_1611718559774553_5372119675798184122_n-400x200.png)
Philippine national para swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino produced a pair of third-place finishes on Monday, October 23, to hand the country its first medals at the start of the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games swimming championships at the Hangzhou Olympic Center Aquatic Arena.
All of us need to force a smile and try to make sense of what’s happening. The Philippine Paralympic team came out without single medal from Tokyo but Ernie Gawilan and company deserve our utmost respect for carrying the flag proudly in the face of superior opposition.