NATIONAL para archer Agustina Bantiloc is primed and ready to make her debut in the 17th Paris Paralympic Games.
Bantiloc received an extra boost after she and national para swimmer Ernie Gawilan were named as the country’s standard bearers in the historic first outdoor opening ceremony of the quadrennial sportsfest this Wednesday at the iconic Champs-Elysées to Place dela Concorde in the French capital.
Joining them in the inaugural day parade are para track and field athletes Jerrold Mangliwan and Cendy Asusano, para swimmer Angel Mae Otom and para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin, according to PH Paralympic team chef de mission Ral Rosario.
“We had several discussions about who will be the standard-bearers at the opening ceremony with the coaches and it was decided among us that Ernie and Tina (Bantiloc’s nickname) were the athletes to do it,” Rosario said from the French capital.
“Gawilan has been a bemedalled national para swimmer and role model for our para athletes over the years while Bantiloc is the country’s first para archer to qualify and represent the country at the Paralympic Games,” he explained of the team’s stint backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.
A former two-time Olympian and national swimming standout, the national contingent’s point man added that “the priority, of course, for the parade were our athletes so they can experience this memorable moment in their lives.”
Bantiloc, 50, was delighted and grateful for getting the distinction of joining the celebrated Gawilan, a gold medalist in last year’s Hangzhou Asian Para Games, in carrying the country’s colors during the festive opening rites.
