The Philippines wrapped up a strong campaign at the Asian Youth Para Games, which concluded Sunday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

While the official overall medal tally still being finalized as of posting time, Filipino athletes collected eight gold, 14 silver and eight bronze medals.

The haul was a significant leap from the country’s one gold, one silver and two bronze finish at the 2021 edition in Manama, Bahrain.

“I’m very proud of them because we have outdone our medal tally in Bahrain more than five times,” said Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) president Michael Barredo.

“There may be sports where we didn’t get medals, but I think this is a good start for our youth program. We are headed in the right direction and this is a good showcase of what our youth can do,” he added.

The swimming team, coached by the father and son tandem of Tony and Brian Ong, delivered six gold, six silver and two bronze medals courtesy of Ric Daniel Pasadilla, Mary Hannah Diesto, Raemond Adefuin, Zach Lucas Obsioma and Bladimir Sebastian Gonzales.

The 13-year-old Pasadilla, who studies at Pototan National Comprehensive High School in Iloilo, won three golds (boys’ 12-16 200m Individual Medley SM10, 100m backstroke S10 and 100m butterfly S10), one silver (100m freestyle S10) and one bronze (100m breaststroke SB9).

The athletics contingent produced two golds coming from John Rey Diano (men’s long jump U20 T20) and RJ Brucal (men’s long jump U17 T20), five silvers from Mark Lorence Suarez (men’s long jump U20 T20), Edwina Aquino (women’s 100m U20 T12), Lexia Sianen (women’s javelin throw U20 F46) and Charmel Bada (women’s 400m T20 and long jump T20), and two bronzes from Jolly Poquiz (men’s long jump U20 T20) and Kyle Norte (men’s 100m U20 T20).

In table tennis, Lhey Manginsay claimed silver in the women’s U23 singles Class 9, while Ramces Tuala, Barge Cabañero and the mixed doubles pair of Tuala and Manginsay contributed bronze medals.

Additional silver medals came from Daniela Catacutan in boccia (individual BC1 female) and the badminton SH6 doubles pair of John Cyrus Maclang and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Jia Shang. Archer Jannah Ballesta secured a bronze medal in women’s W1 Open U21 archery.

Barredo noted that several medalists were identified through the Palarong Pambansa, underscoring the importance of expanding para sports in the national games.

“We should push for more para sports to be included in the Palaro so we can develop more athletes who can win medals for the Philippines,” he said.

He also lauded the efforts of coaches nationwide for identifying and nurturing young para athletes, citing growing awareness and development of para sports across the country. (PNA)