The national delegation is pumped up and ready to go when it competes in the 13th ASEAN Para Games that will formally open on Tuesday at the Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Deputy chiefs of mission Francis Diaz and Milette Bonoan said they are very optimistic over the chances of  the 216 Filipino athletes who will compete in 15 events of this prestigious regional tournament for differently able athletes. 

The first batch of para athletes already left for Thailand last Thursday to get acclimatized to the weather before hostilities kick off. Another batch, including the media and some officials and administrative staff, is scheduled to leave for Bangkok on Sunday.

“All of our para athletes have been training for almost two years after the last ASEAN Para Games, and I’m hoping that we will be able to surpass our last performance,” said Diaz, who is also the vice president of the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association.

“I have full confidence that they will give their best effort — as long as they play on the court, in the field, or in the swimming pool — and they will do everything they can to bring honor and pride to our country. I support each and every one of them in this endeavor.”

Adding an extra motivation to the athletes was the announcement of Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio on Saturday that the government will add an extra P6,000 to the cash incentives of ASEAN Para Games winners.

For Bonoan, prioritizing the para athletes’ needs was crucial as they are now in high spirits and ready to represent the country.

“From the start, the athletes are always our priority. Even in entries and funding, the athletes come first. The support staff follows because the athletes are the ones competing and we make sure they are taken care of, said Bonoan, a former member  of the national sailing team.

“Their mindset is very positive. We also have a lot of new and younger athletes.”

“The goal is always to outdo what we achieved in the last ASEAN Para Games — that’s the first objective. Hopefully, we will achieve it.”

Four-time Paralympian and flag bearer Jerrold Mangliwan of wheelchair racing will banner the Filipinos’ medal drive together with a solid cast of competitors like swimmers Ernie Gawilan, Angel Otom and Gary Bejino, and Cheyzer Mendoza and Darry Bernardo of chess.

The Philippines aims to surpass its medal tally of 33 gold, 33 silver and 50 bronze medals that they registered during the previous staging of the event in Cambodia in 2023.