HOMESTRETCH: The grit and grace of Filipino Paralympians

MANILA, Philippines – In its 2024 edition, 6 Filipino para athletes competed in 5 games in Paris. The athletes are swimmer Angel Otom, javelin thrower Cendy Asusano, wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, swimmer Ernie Gawilan, para archer Agustina Bantiloc, and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin.

In this fourth episode of HOMESTRETCH, anchor Pató Gregorio talks to para swimmer Angel Otom – who did her paralympics debut in Paris – and veteran para powerlifter Adz Dumapong who won a bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.

Gregorio also sits down with Philippine Paralympic Committee Chef de Mission and veteran swimmer Ral Rosario and University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics Dean Kiko Diaz.

HOMESTRETCH also went to Paris to talk to International Paralympic Committee Chief Brand & Communications Officer Craig Spence who shared his insights on what the Philippines can do to promote para sports in the country.

HOMESTRETCH aims to tell the stories of people that inspire us with their struggles and triumphs, and the places that help define our spirit as a nation.

Co-presented by Rappler and Duckworld, HOMESTRETCH is hosted by sportsman and tourism advocate Pató Gregorio. 

Watch episode 4 on Sunday, September 15, at 8 pm on Rappler’s YouTube and Facebook accounts. – Rappler.com