CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Despite being differently abled, 16 out of 32 para-athletes from Pampanga brought honor to the province after bagging 13 gold, 12 silver, and 11 bronze medals during the recently concluded 6th Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled National Para Games (PHILSPADA-NPG ).
The PHILSPADA-NPG was held in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City from May 12-19, this year.
Leading the gold medal harvest is para-athlete Eliza Baluyut with an orthopedic disability who took home three golds for Shot-put Throw, Discus Throw, and Javelin Throw competitions.
Mary Ann S. Zamora with an orthopedic disability, concurrent Persons with Disabilities Affairs Officer (PDAO) won one gold for Shot-Put Throw and two silvers for Discus Throw and Javelin Throw.
Rommel Laurencio, also with orthopedic disability added three gold medals for the 200-meter dash, Table Tennis (Open), Table Tennis (Singles) events and two silvers for Table Tennis (Doubles) and 4 x 100-meter dash.
Maria Mercedes Ponce, with visual impairment, got one gold for Discus Throw, one silver for Shot-put Throw and one Bronze for Javelin Throw.
Christian Tengco, with an orthopedic disability, bagged one gold for Discus Throw and a silver for Javelin Throw.
Para-athlete Saira Jane P. Alburo with orthopedic disability won two gold medals for Discus Throw and Javelin Throw events.
Christian Medrano, with an orthopedic disability brought home one gold for Long Jump, one silver for 4 x 100-meter relay and a bronze for the 800-meter dash.
Powerlifter Alvin Santiago with orthopedic disability bagged one gold medal for Powerlifting event.