MANILA — Veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan and para archer Agustina Bantiloc were given the honor of serving as the country’s flag-bearers during the grand outdoor opening ceremony of the 17th Paralympic Games unfolding on Wednesday.

The ceremony took place at the heritage-rich Champs-Élysées leading to the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France.

Joining them in the inaugural parade were para track and field athletes Jerrold Mangliwan and Cendy Asusano, para swimmer Angel Mae Otom, and para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin, as confirmed by PH Paralympic team chef de mission Ral Rosario.

“We had several discussions with the coaches about who would be the standard-bearers for the opening ceremony, and it was collectively decided that Ernie and Tina (Bantiloc’s nickname) were the right athletes for the role,” Rosario said from the French capital.

“Gawilan has been a bemedaled national para swimmer and a role model for our para athletes over the years, while Bantiloc is the country’s first para archer to qualify for and represent the Philippines at the Paralympic Games,” he explained of the outing, which is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Rosario, a former two-time Olympian and national swimming standout, added that “the priority for the parade was, of course, our athletes, so they could experience this memorable moment in their lives.”

Bantiloc, 56, expressed her delight and gratitude for being selected to join the celebrated Gawilan, a gold medalist at last year’s Hangzhou Asian Para Games, in carrying the country’s colors during the festive opening ceremony.

“Of course, I’m proud and happy. This will be a big help for me,” said Bantiloc, who will be the first Filipino athlete in action on Thursday in the women’s individual compound event at the Esplanade des Invalides archery range.

Rosario revealed that the country was originally allotted 15 to 16 slots for the parade by the Paris Paralympic Games organizers, enough for the entire delegation. However, they received a message last Friday that the allotment had been reduced to 10.

Rosario gave up his slot, along with national para coaches Joel Deriada (athletics) and Tony Ong (swimming), so other team members could experience the opening-day festivities.

“Coach Tony and I gave way for others, as we’ve already participated in a Paralympic Games parade before,” Deriada confirmed.