Gawilan, Bantiloc are Philippines Paralympic flag bearers

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan and para archer Agustina Bantiloc were given the honor to be the country’s flag-bearers at the grand outdoor opening ceremony on Wednesday of the 17th Paralympic Games at the heritage-rich Champs-Elysées to Place de la Concorde in Paris, France.

Joining them at 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 Philippine 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) were the athletes to do it,” Rosario said.

A former two-time Olympian and national swimming standout, the Philippine contingent’s point man added that “the priority, of course, for the parade are our athletes so they can experience this memorable moment in their lives.”

Bantiloc, 56, 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.