Paralympic medalist salutes PSC for support

Para powerlifting veteran Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta expressed gratitude to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for giving all-out support for her career throughout the years and supporting her for her ASEAN Para Games participation.

“Malaking bahagi ang PSC sa buhay ko. Kung bakit ako nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makapag-compete sa iba’t ibang international competitions,” said the 46-year-old Ancheta who started powerlifting in 1997.

The PSC has been very supportive of Dumapong-Ancheta’s career.

From her P27,000 monthly allowance, the multi-titled para powerlifting superstar of the country is now receiving a monthly salary of P36,000 thousand pesos since April 2018.

This after Dumapong-Ancheta made her 5th Paralympic Games campaign in 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while adding a bronze medal during the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Three years after, who would have thought that the proud daughter of Kiangan, Ifugao, will become the first-ever Filipino para-athlete to win a medal from the Summer Paralympic Games when she won a bronze in Sydney, Australia.

“The PSC has taught me to have more confidence, to have a better outlook on myself, and be proud. They have given me the opportunity to represent the Philippines and be able to give glory to our country,” shared Ancheta.

Dumapong-Ancheta is now considered to be the top para powerlifter in the women’s 82-kilogram category in Southeast Asia who has won 7 golds and 1 silver medal from the past eight editions of the ASEAN Para Games (APG) – a multisport event for the differently-abled athletes that happen every two years.

“To the Philippine Sports Commission, thank you very much 3po. Mula po sa taas hanggang po sa baba. Isa po ako sa mga tinulungan ninyo. Maraming-maraming salamat at mabuhay po kayo.” exclaimed Ancheta who was greeting the sports agency for its upcoming 30th founding anniversary.

The agency will celebrate its milestone year with a mass celebration on January 24 at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) in Manila, choosing to donate their anniversary celebration budget instead to the Taal evacuees.