DAVAO City’s very own representative at the 12th ASEAN Para Games, Arvie John Arreglado, brought home two silvers and one bronze in Athletics for the Philippine Team.
He earned his silver medals during the Men’s Triple Jump T47 and Men’s Long Jump T47, and his bronze medal during the Men’s 1000M T47.
Last year when he first entered the ASEAN Para Games, he also brought home two bronze during the Men’s 200M T47 and Men’s Long Jump T47.
Arvie’s journey to the ASEAN Games began when he joined the training pool for the Para Athletics Team in 2018. At the time, he was a varsity player at the Holy Cross of Davao College.
His intention for joining the sport was only to secure scholarships that would help him finish his studies but later on, Arvie realized that he wanted to keep playing even after college.
Little did he know that athletics would become his passion and he would one day represent the country at international games alongside the rest of the Philippine Para Athletics Team.
“Wala gihapon nako giundang akong dula kay I think passion na nako ang mag dula (I did not stop playing because it’s my passion now). Happy na ko na mag sigi lang kog dula not only for our city but for the country (I am happy to keep playing not just for Davao City but for the country as well),” he said.
Growing up as a member of the Ovu Manobo tribe in Barangay Salaysay, one of Arvie’s struggles was his lack of confidence since he was a shy young kid when he started playing sports. But he said athletics really helped him discover his talents and build confidence in himself.
“Pagsugod nako ani na journey, wala gyod ko'y sariling kusog nga mu-compete (When I started this journey, I wasn’t confident enough to compete). Wala ko'y confidence, dili ko confident sa akong sarili kay maulawon ko (I did not have confidence in myself because I was shy),” Arvie said.
However, after his positive experience at the ASEAN Para Games, Arvie is keen to keep representing the Philippines in his beloved sport.
At only 23 years old, he has big dreams to bring home gold for Davao City and the Philippines, and to join the Paralympic Games in the future. He said hard work during training and determination is his plan to meet his goal.
Like him, Arvie hopes that his fellow para-athletes and other persons with disabilities would realize their passion and one day reach their dreams.
“Sa akong kapwa PWDs, ipagawas nato atong potential na gina-tago (We should allow ourselves to realize our hidden potential)... Naa ta'y tumong nganong naa ta diri sa kalibutan. Kung gusto man gud nato buhaton, mabuhat gyod nato (We have a purpose here in the world and if we really want to achieve something, we can),” Arvie said. ICM