First-ever Filipina Paralympic medalist Adz Dumapong-Ancheta continues her fight to ensure better conditions for Filipino para-athletes.
It was in 2000 that para-powerlifter Adeline “Adz” Dumapong-Ancheta copped bronze in the Sydney Paralympics, becoming the first-ever Filipina Paralympic medalist and making history. A powerlifter since 1996, Adz proved Filipino para-athletes’ capability on the international stage with that bronze medal.
Adz went on to become a 19-time medalist in para-powerlifting, which includes five golds in the ASEAN Para Games, and two silvers in the Asian Para Games. In between were four more Paralympic runs in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016.
But Adz’s contributions go beyond sporting excellence. Having experienced a lack of support personally, she’s made it a point to fight for Filipino para-athletes’ equality. Even in retirement, Adz uses her influence to ensure better conditions for tomorrow’s para-athletes.
“Kailangan din po namin ang suporta ninyo. Tapos na ang journey ko bilang isang para-athlete, pero maraming [para-athlete] ang umuusbong na kailangan din namang mapansin, and I really hope na suportahan natin sila,” Adz said during the recent premiere of her GCash Stories episode. She officially retired last January.
“And I really hope na suportahan natin sila. Kasi po, malaking bagay ang pag-suporta, it can really create a positive impact sa buhay ng isang tao. At kung meron tayong matulungan na isang buhay, malaking bagay na puntos na yan sa taas.”
Adz’s comments are timely with the Paris Paralympics coming up. After a historic Olympic campaign, six Filipino Paralympians hope to win the country’s third Paralympic medal. Doing so follows Adz’s triumph in Sydney and the late Josephine Medina’s table tennis bronze in the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Leading the delegation are para-swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom, and para-athletics (javelin throw) Cendy Asuno, all gold medalists in past ASEAN Para Games. Wheelchair racer Jarrold Mangliwan also makes his third Paralympic appearance in Paris.
“We have six athletes, and I think two of them…I think they’re top eight in their categories. So we’re praying. The competition’s really tough, but we’re praying that they will get a medal,” she said of the delegation.
Increased support, but…
On one hand, Adz acknowledged improved support toward para-athletes. It’s a far cry from Sydney, where her uniform was only a white polyester shirt with a Philippine flag on it. At the time, she also waited outside the Olympic Village for hours because their entrance fees were still unpaid.
“And we had to wait for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to wire the money bago kami pinapasok,” she recalled. “So kung iisipin mo ngayon, we did not have luggage, mga bags, walang ganon.”
In contrast, Tokyo Paralympians were given an allowance of PHP 150,000, which was an increase from their initial P50,000 stipend. Each Paris Paralympian also received a PHP 500,000 grant from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
Social media has also helped with visibility. The Philippine Sports Commission has posted photo updates about our Paris Paralympians, while media outlets have also run content and reposts about the delegation.
“Alam mo ‘yung mga tipong gano’n. And now, they’re there. Umalis na kasi ‘yung delegation for training [in Nimes, France]. Dati walang training kasi kailangan nilang mag-adjust, ganyan-ganyan…sabak kagad di ‘ba? So ang laki na [ng improvement sa support]. More than 100 percent, actually,” Adz said.
But on the other hand, this isn’t a victory lap just yet.
Adz acknowledges there’s still a long, long way to go in terms of equality. She knows that Filipino para-athletes must continue winning internationally to garner more traction and visibility. While welcome, Adz knows that social media visibility doesn’t always translate to appreciation either.
Leaders must keep on pushing and lobbying for Filipino para-athletes, Adz continued. She also hopes for a much-needed amendment to Republic Act 10699‘s rewards for para-athletes. Notably, they only get 50 percent of what able-bodied national athletes receive for medal finishes.
“When I started, when I won, there was really no recognition. Pero unti-unti, 15 years later, nagkaroon, na-amend yung batas, na-recognize sa mga may kapansanang atleta, pero kulang pa rin…Salamat ‘no? At least may 50 percent,” she said.
“We should not stop there. We should continue to push for equality. At syempre, kailangan namin nang mas marming kakampi.”
Banner Image courtesy of GCash.