A better finish for the country's para athletes.
The Philippines wrapped up its 12th ASEAN Para Games campaign in Cambodia with 33 gold, 33 silver, and 50 bronze medals to finish in fifth place.
Leading the charge for the Philippines were chess players Darry Bernardo and Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza, who secured six and five gold medals, respectively. Swimmer Angel Mae Otom also won multiple gold mints, as she topped four different swimming events in the weeklong competition.
The duo of Smith Billy Cartera and Racleo Martinez Jr. (bronze, table tennis men's doubles TT4), Paz Lita (bronze, badminton women's singles WH2), Linard Sultan (bronze, badminton men's singles TT9), Pablo Catalan (men’s table tennis singles TT10), Marco Tinamisan (bronze, men's 50m Freestyle S4), and Gary Bejino (silver, men’s 50m freestyle S6) were among the country’s final medal winners in the competition’s final day.
"I am honored and overjoyed to congratulate our athletes for their remarkable performances and astounding achievements in the 12th ASEAN Para Games," said Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Walter Francis Torres in a statement on Friday. "These achievements have not only brought glory once again to the Philippines but also serve as inspirations and motivations to future generations of para-athletes."
The country’s medal haul in Cambodia exceeded the 28 gold, 30 silver, and 46 bronze medals the Philippines secured in the 11th ASEAN Para Games last year in Indonesia—and it was an accomplishment not lost on Torres.
“By displaying your athletic abilities in Cambodia, you have exemplified the true essence of the ASEAN Para Games, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and unity among nations,” Torres added in his congratulatory statement.
Indonesia topped the medal tally with 159 gold, 148 silver, and 94 silver medals, followed by Thailand (126-110-92), Vietnam (66-58-77), and Malaysia (50-38-35).