The Philippines won two golds, two silvers and three bronzes in Nagoya, while officials explored plans for the country’s first para athlete training center.
![AJ Alegarbes, accompanied by the Philippine Paralympics Committee president Mike Barredo and coach Bryan Ong. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1090-400x200.png)
Filipino swimmer Arjay Alegarbes won Asian Para Games gold in the 100-meter backstroke S14, beating South Korea by 0.05 seconds.
![Asian Paralympic Committee president H.E. Majid Rashed (seated) and Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo (left, wearing sunglasses) congratulate Ernie Gawilan following his gold-medal triumph in the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. Joining them are coaches Tony Ong and Bryan Ong. [PPC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1080-400x200.png)
Ernie Gawilan captures the Philippines’ first gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games, winning the men’s 400-meter freestyle S7 for the third straight edition.
![Ernie Gawilan won the Philippines' first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games with victory in the men's 400-meter freestyle S7 in Nagoya, Japan. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Untitled-design1071-400x200.png)
Ernie Gawilan won the Philippines’ first gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya and reportedly secured qualification for the 2028 Paralympics.
The Philippines sends 69 athletes to the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, targeting four to five golds without chess on the competition program.
![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.