THE PHILIPPINES AT THE PARALYMPICS: I
CAN!
MANILA, AUGUST 30,
2012 (FOREIGN COMMNWEALTH OFFICE ONLINE) BY
British Ambassador to the
Philippines, STEPHEN LILLIE (photo at right)- Many people have
called this year's London Olympics the Greatest Show on Earth. Well, part two
begins this week with the opening of the Paralympic Games on 29 August.
These will be the biggest Paralympics ever, and the Philippines is fielding
its largest team yet, with nine athletes planning to go for gold in swimming,
athletics, table tennis and power lifting.
I was delighted to meet the squad last week, when they graced the British
Embassy's "I Can!" Photography Exhibition at SM Podium Mall in Ortigas.
[PHOTO -Mike Barredo, PhilsSpada Chairman and I wishing the
Filipino
Paralympians the best in the London 2012 Paralympic Games to be held
f
rom 29 August to 9 September.]
The Paralympics began in Britain, at the time of the 1948 London Olympics. So
for many Britons, it feels like the games are "coming home".
For the first time, the Olympics and Paralympics form a fully integrated
programme under the single banner "London 2012″. Ensuring that venues and public
transport are fully accessible to people with disabilities, London 2012 is the
most accessible Olympics and Paralympics ever.
The Paralympics promise to be another great spectacle of sport. Just as
important, they promise to change the way people think, feel and behave towards
disability and disability sport. From combatting prejudice in wider society, to
encouraging more disabled people to get involved in grassroots and competitive
sport, the Games should be truly transformational.
It was with the same intention of changing attitudes that the British Embassy
partnered with a number of other organisations to run the "I Can" photography
competition in July.
The competition set out to capture the most eye-catching images of persons
with disabilities leading active and productive lives. The winners and
finalists' entries are being displayed in the "I Can!" Photography Exhibition at
different SM Malls around the country for the duration of the Paralympic Games.
The entries may be viewed on the British Embassy's Flickr account. I think
they're impressive, and I really hope they will inspire and promote greater
respect for the achievements of the disabled.
[PHOTO -"I Can!" Photography Competition Grand Winner and Voter's
Choice Sheila Pamakid and her subject Arnel Aba.]
My thanks go to our partners in this venture: SM Supermalls, PhilSPADA-NPC
Philippines, the British Council and Samsung. Many congratulations to all our
winners, in particular Sheila Pamakid, whose entry titled "I Can be full", was
declared both the Grand Winner and the Voter's Choice.
And to the Philippine Paralympians: the very best of luck; we hope you'll
be winners too. Along with Team GB, the British Embassy is cheering you
on.
[PHOTO -British Ambassador Stephen Lillie with the
Paralympians. (first row)
Luis Jose Arellano (President, PhilSPADA); Adeline
Dumapong (Powerlifting);
Achele Guion (Powerlifting); Agustin Kitan
(Powerlifting); Beariza Roble (Swimming);
Marites Burce (Athletics) (second row)
Carlos Weber Jr (Secretary General, PhilSPADA);
Ramon Debuque (coach); Roger
Tapia (Athletics); Andy Avellana (Athletics); I
sidro Vildosola (Athletics); Bien
Mateo (Vice President, SM SuperMalls);
Annie Garcia (President, SM SuperMalls);
Antonio Ong (coach); Gerardo Rosario (Chef de Mission, PhilSPADA); British
Ambassador Stephen Lillie; Mike Barredo (Chairman, Philspada); Steph Lysaght
(First Secretary, British Embassy).]
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
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NEWS ONLINE
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