MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Paralympic Committee/ Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PPC-PHILSPADA) launched their digital fundraiser “Alay PARA Atleta” in partnership with Rising Tide Mobile Entertainment Inc on Monday, October 16. 

The fundraiser uses a mobile donation platform in order to make it accessible and convenient for donors to participate in the national paralympic movement, which is geared towards raising public awareness for athletes with disability and the implementation of a grassroots development program. 

This mobile donation campaign is part of the PPC-PHILSPADA’s integrated marketing plan that was made in response to the achievements of their athletes in this year’s 9th ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

The Philippines was catapulted to a 5th overall finish from a 7th place finish in 2015 as the country collected a total of 69 medals (20 gold, 20 silver, 29 bronze). 

PPC-PHILSPADA President Michael Barredo also added that the surprising finishes came from the debutantes of the concluded ASEAN Para Games, who were products of the Palarong Pambansa. This includes triple athletics gold medalist Cielo Honasan and swimmers Gary Bejino and Claire Calizo. 

“Our showing in KL validated our long range plan: to implement a grassroots development program that will help discover new talents and harness our existing ones in order to create a bigger pool of para athletes that will be ready to compete in the next 2018 Indonesia Para Games, the ASEAN Para Games in Manila in 2019, the Tokyo Paralympics and other international para sport competitions,” said Barredo. 

Campus awareness 

PPC-PHILSPADA also tapped on the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) for support in order for students from the involved schools to participate in the paralympic athletes. 

The tie-up of the two associations on September 1 marked a big move for para sports in the Philippines, as the schools will be more involved with its future endeavors. 

According to UAAP commissioner Rebo Saguisag, the UAAP will be committed to providing manpower and joint training venues in preparation for the 10th ASEAN Para Games in 2019. 

In terms of propagating awareness, Saguisag also mentioned the possibility of including para sports in the UAAP and supporting their training based on the classifications of their disabilites. 

“The big thing pala dito is the classifiers. When you are differently-abled, there’s classifications. Maybe we could provide training and later on, provide the needs for PHILSPADA”, said Saguisag.

“We will get there. Also tinitignan namin is a demosport as well in the UAAP. Why not? Sports should be for all. If there’s student-athletes, why not student-para athletes.”

Growing Support

PPC-PHILSPADA’s campaign is considered to be another milestone for the differently-abled athletes.

Powerlifting veteran Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta – who has nabbed 7 gold medals in the ASEAN Para Games since 2003 and a bronze from the 2000 Sydney Paralympics – recalled that para athletes were not given as much support from the government compared to that of today. 

In the late 1970’s, the lack of a governing body for para sports only saw that the funds that were being solicited for the small pool of para athletes were branded for charity or social service. 

The Paralympic bronze medalist also experienced the times where there was a lack of formal training and allowances compared to the consistent tranining program and funding she currently receives. 

“Pero in 1997 naman kasi when we first competed, wala rin talagang formal training. Mag-trtraining lang, sige diyan sa mga backyard ng isang school, and coaches [did] not know what they’re talking about. So walang formal training, walang allowance, walang uniform, walang ganon,” explained Dumapong-Ancheta.

(But in 1997 when we first competed, we did not really have formal training. If we were to train, it would just be in the backyard of a school, and the coaches did not know what they’re talking about. So no formal training, no allowance, no uniform, no like that.)

But the 43-year old para powerlifter’s 20 years of experience allowed her to witness the development of para sports in the Philippines. 

“So nakita ko noong mula nagsimula ako hanggang sa pakonti-konti na we would get 2 months training, 2 months allowance, tapos stop. Then we get 3 months, 6 months, parang per project.”

(So I saw that since I started until we would slowly get two months training, two months allowance, then stop. Then we get 3 months, 6 months, like per project.)

“And before, yung mga athletes natin, we didn’t have the proper wheelchair and iyon ngayon  kahit papano meron na. It’s not the top of the line but it’s better than nothing. Napakadami ng pagbabago. I am very lucky to have seen that development.”

(And before, our athletes didn’t have the proper wheelchair and now in whatever way, we have it already. It’s not the top of the line but it’s better than nothing. There are so many changes. I am very lucky to have seen that development.)

For those interested in supporting the Alay PARA Atleta campaign, donations in Php 10, 50, 100 and 500 denominations can be sent by texting the keyword (ALAYPARA) and the amount to 3456. 

Ex. Text ALAYPARA10 to donate P10 and send to 3456. – Rappler.com