PARIS. – Junever Mahilum-West, the Philippine Ambassador to France, found the country’s para athletes vying in the Paris Paralympic Games “inspiring because they are the best examples of the resilience of the Filipino.”
“That they are here competing shows our inclusivity,” said West, who treated the national Paralympic contingent to a buffet lunch of Filipino dishes and desserts at the Philippine embassy inside a 19th-century compound near the birthplace of the late French tennis great Suzanne Lenglen.
Also present during the courtesy call were Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo, PPC secretary general Goody Custodio, national team chief of mission Ral Rosario and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann.
Philippine Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Gerardo Tamayo said there were around 25,000 Filipino expatriates in the Gallic country praying and supporting the six Pinoy para athletes.
“Let us provide them with all our support. May they ignite a new generation of para athletes and torch bearers who will carry forward this legacy of inspiration and dedication in the years to come,’’ West said during the occasion also attended by Filipino community leaders here.
“Paris 2024 is sending a message to the world of a gentle revolution for inclusion. Let’s all heed this call through the programs and activities involving our community,’’ the ambassador added.
“As far as the Paralympic movement is concerned, we are definitely trying our best to push the development of para sports in our country to further the Paralympic movement, the core values of which are determination, inspiration, courage and equality,’’ Barredo said in response.
During the affair, those present watched the documentary “Super Able” featuring wheelchair thrower Marites Burce in her journey to try to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympic Games until the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
“She (Burce) has this can-do attitude. That even physically challenged, you can set your dream high like anybody else and achieve it and that is the most important thing,” West, who has been the country’s ambassador to France since 2021, said.
