Ernie Gawilan, Agustina Bantiloc named Philippines' flag bearers for 2024 Paralympics

Veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan and para archer Agustina Bantiloc have been tasked to carry the Philippine flag at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics at the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées.

Joining them at the parade slated on early Thursday are fellow their fellow Paralympians, para track and field athletes Jerrold Mangliwan and Cendy Asusano, para swimmer Angel Mae Otom, and para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin.

“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 were the athletes to do it,” said Paralympic team chef de mission Ral Rosario.

“Gawilan has been a bemedalled national para swimmer and role model for our para athletes over the years while Bantiloc is the country’s first para archer to qualify and represent the country at the Paralympic Games."

Decorated para swimmer Gawilan is competing in his third straight Paralympics stint after having bannered the country during the 2016 in Brazil and 2021 in Japan while the 56-year-old Bantiloc is making her debut in Paris.

Bantiloc will also be the first Philippine delegate to see action as she competes on Thursday in the women’s individual compound event at the Esplanade des Invalides archery range.    

“Siyempre proud and happy, of course. Makakatulong nang malaki sa akin,” she said.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News