Dabawenyo 12th Asean Para Games double silver medalist Arvie John Arreglado encouraged fellow differently-abled athletes to keep training and never give up on their dreams.
Arreglado, who started playing in athletics events during fifth grade in Salaysay Elementary School, clinched the silver medals in men’s triple jump T47 and men’s long jump T47. He also copped a bronze in men’s 100m T47 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
He learned the ropes of his sport and honed his skills with the help of veteran trainers and coaches Mamerto Aventurado and Emilio “Toto” Lacanaria.
Arreglado said he didn’t have the confidence to compete at first and he was also shy. He later found his niche in athletics and built his confidence over time.
“Ang plano gyud nako ato kay mangita og scholarship aron makapadayo ko’g eskwela tapos muundang nako (I planned to find a scholarship so that I can continue school then quit being an athlete),” Arreglado said during the iSpeak media forum held Thursday, June 15, at the Davao City Hall conference room.
But as time went by, he learned to love competing in various para-games competitions.
He recalled, “Nagtuloy-tuloy na gyud to. Pagka-graduate nako, wala na nako giundang akong sport. Naging passion na gyud nako, sige lang ko’g dula. Pero niabot ang time nga midula ko dili lang para sa city kundi para sa country (I kept playing. After I graduated, I didn’t give up my sport. It has become my passion, and I just keep playing. But the time came when I played not only for the city but for the country).”
The multiple Asean Para Games medalist joined the national para-athletics team in 2022 after four years of being in the national training pool.
Arreglado revealed that he struggled when he started as a national para-athlete but his hard work and determination in training paid off.
He thanked his parents, the Philippine Sports Commission, Philspada, coaches, and teammates for their support as well as the City Government of Davao’s para games programs.
“Sa kapareha nako nga PWDs padayon lang, naa man pirmi ang gobyerno. Pagawas lang inyong potential. Naa ma’y tumong nganong naa ta naa diri sa kalibutan (For PWDs like me, the government is always there. Just bring out your potential. There is a purpose why we are here in this world),” he said.
Meanwhile, Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera said Arreglado’s win is “a win for Dabawenyos.”
The city sports chief said, “It’s a win of inspiration, I am encouraging others to be like him. Sya naa’y disability but he made the Philippines proud. If he can do it, everyone can do it. He is a beacon of inspiration sa tanan (to everyone).”
He assured that the City Government of Davao, through the SDD, will continue to hold its programs for para-athletes. CIO
