PARA-ATHLETES PLUNGE INTO ACTION

SURAKARTA, Indonesia — Filipino para-athletes finally get to showcase and unleash their skills as the 11th ASEAN Para Games formally opens Saturday at the sprawling 20,000-seat Manahan Stadium.

Led by powerlifter Achelle “Jinky” Guion as the standard-bearer, a compact group of 30 athletes, coaches, and officials will attend the ethnic-inspired colorful program in the hometown of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

National team chef de mission Walter Torres announced Friday that the 30-man contingent at the opening day parade will come from 10 sports that the country will be vying in during the weeklong meet gathering all the top para-athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

“For health and safety reasons, we decided not to include representatives from swimming because their competition venue is in the city of Semarang, which is about two hours from Surakarta,” Torres said.

CDM Torres also reminded the athletes that “the Games will start soon.”

“Achieve your dreams and let your disability be your wings to aim and fly high…be it not your anchor to pull and drag you down. I am confident that you will make things happen. All the best to Para Team Philippines!”

Aside from Torres and deputies Irene Remo and Tricia Rana, those attending the inaugural rites are Athletics — Randy Magcawas, Arvie John Arreglado, King James Reyes and Maekel Lita; Archery — William Cablog and Dina Managdang; Badminton — Julie Peral Guadayo and Johnlo Respicio; Chess — Cheyzer Mendoza, Cheryl Angot, Evangeline Gamao, Felix Aguilera and Patrisha Anne Salgado; Boccia — David Gonzaga and Ruel Fernando; Judo — Rezil Rosalejos and Mary Ann Taguinod; Table Tennis — Gerald Tuazon and Homber Tiongson; Goalball — Jorge Lucero, Marco Lucero, Fred Estacion; Powerlifting — Guion, Nikki Vidal, Rico Canlas; Sitting volleyball — Mayie

Procina and Orwen Elumir.