Camille Naredo

Article (news)

Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – As the Philippines marked 2026 Women with Disabilities Day, Paralympic bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta saw the realization of a dream.At the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, Dumapong-Ancheta won the country&#x27;s first Paralympic medal, clinching bronze in the women&#x27;s 82.5kg powerlifting event.Nearly three decades later, the historic medal would be displayed alongside the memorabilia of fellow Paralympic medalist, the late Josephine Medina at the National Sports Museum in the Philsports Complex in Pasig City. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/22/paralympian-adeline-dumapong-dedicates-lifetime-award-to-para-sports-community-1605">READ: Paralympian Adeline Dumapong dedicates lifetime award to para sports community</a></div>Medina ended the Philippines&#x27; 16-year medal drought, bagging bronze in women&#x27;s table tennis at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. For Dumapong-Ancheta, having a dedicated space for Paralympians was more than just a recognition but a huge step towards inclusion.&quot;Visibility is very important. Alam mo nung unang binuksan ito, everybody was looking for [para sports] kasi nakakalimutan talaga. Although, minsan nasa isip, pero in actuality ang katotohanan talaga nakakalimutan talaga,&quot; she told reporters.&quot;By having a space talaga, provided for the Paralympics, alam mo yun? Pag umikot yung mga nakakakita, yung mga viewers, they will say na oo nga no merong [Paralympians]. I hope dumating yung panahon na hindi na magkakaroon ng parang ay meron pala, kungdi sana kasabay na siya palagi,&quot; Dumapong-Ancheta added.The Paralympic medalist could not help but turn emotional during the ceremony, as she recalled the hardships she and fellow para athletes went through in the past.&quot;Even now when I think about it, I get emotional because I have really lived through the journey of alam mo yun? Walang walang support, walang walang recognition to something that we have now. Can you imagine na kasama na? I never imagined my medal to be displayed,&quot; she said.Dumapong-Ancheta did not think twice to donate her uniform and hard-earned bronze medal, one that even survived Typhoon Ondoy.&quot;Hindi siya naging mahirap ibigay sa akin. Because I&#x27;ve always known it&#x27;s not really for me. Lalo na when I realized that when I compete, I don&#x27;t compete for myself. I compete for the Philippines and the sector na marginalized at that time,&quot; she said.&quot;Sabi nga nila i-rereplicate lang nila. Pero I said no I can give it, I can donate it. Because for me it&#x27;s really for the Filipino people. It&#x27;s for everyone to see that really dreams do come true,&quot; the 52-year-old added.<div> </div><div>&#x27;MAY PAG-ASA ANG PILIPINAS&#x27;<img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774877725413viber_image_2026-03-30_20-54-13-995.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The memorabilia of para athletes Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta and Josephine Medina at the National Sports Museum, March 30, 2026. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/>The memorabilia of para athletes Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta and Josephine Medina at the National Sports Museum, March 30, 2026. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News</div>As Dumapong-Ancheta continues to push for more visibility and support for para sports, she believes the country is on the right track.&quot;May pag-asa ang Pilipinas, may pag-asa ang mga Pilipino na kumilala ng pagkakapantay-pantay. And this is really a story of inclusion. Ako I am emotional for the athletes that we have now. Diba nakakatuwa? Hindi nila kailangan danasin yung dinanas namin,&quot; she said. &quot;I&#x27;m really very happy for where the para sports is now in the Philippines. Of course, marami pa ang dapat gawin. Pero napaka-thankful ko na ang daming na-improve,&quot; Dumapong-Ancheta added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/3/22/dumapong-otom-see-social-media-as-tool-in-helping-boost-support-for-para-sports-community-2114">READ: Dumapong, Otom see social media as tool in helping boost support for para sports community</a></div>Though Dumapong-Ancheta&#x27;s time as an athlete has come to an end, her journey to lift the para sports community has just begun. &quot;By placing it [my medal] in the National Sports Museum, I hope it can be shared with all. Especially every para-athlete, every coach, every official and advocate. May it remind us of what is possible when determination meets opportunity,&quot; Dumapong-Ancheta shared.&quot;These are milestones we are proud of, but they also remind us that our journey continues, and we look forward to the day we win our first gold medal. I also remember the many unnamed para athletes and advocates who came before me. Whose contributions were never fully recognized. Though many have passed, their legacy lives on in all of us,&quot; she said.The late Medina was likewise honored during the event, with her nephew Buddy Acosta thanking the Philippine Sports Commission for the recognition. PSC Commissioners Walter Torres and Bong Coo, Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo and para athletes like Angel Mae Otom and Cendy Asusano were present at the unveiling ceremony.The National Sports Museum showcases memorabilia from the country&#x27;s top athletes like eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao, pool legend Efren &#x27;Bata&#x27; Reyes and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

As the Philippines marked 2026 Women with Disabilities Day, Paralympic bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta saw the realization of a dream.

As the Philippines marked 2026 Women with Disabilities Day, Paralympic bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta saw the realization of a dream.

Paralympic medalists Dumapong-Ancheta, Medina honored in National Sports Museum

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Paralympic medalists Dumapong-Ancheta, Medina honored in National Sports Museum

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 30, 2026 10:56 PM PHT

Read More:

Paralympics

Para sports

Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta

Josephine Medina

National Sports Museum

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