Deaf Philippines joined the 21st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei last Sept 4 to 15, 2009

MANILA Six Filipino athletes are currently in Chinese Taipei competing in the bowling category of the 21st Summer Deaflympics.

This is the first time that the Philippines sent a delegation to the event previously known as the World Games for the Deaf.

The Philippines participation in the Deaflympics was made possible by the countrys inclusion in the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD).

This beginning hopes to be a bridge of recognition to call the attention of our country to recognize the Deaf as equal to their Hearing counterparts -- in the field of sports, said Michael Vea, secretary-general of the Phil-Sports Federation of the Deaf.

Vea told abs-cbnNEWS.com in an e-mail correspondence that they decided to focus on bowling because their president, Maria Lovella M. Catalan, is a famous Deaf bowler who has competed in various games in both Deaf and Hearing.

Joining Catalan as the first Filipino Deaflympians are Ariscel Pangilinan Lobo, Anthony Paul Gaston Pacis, Christopher Lloyd Bonpin Uy, Jorrelle Geron Faytaren, and Ma. Cecilia Cortes Villacin.

The six bowlers have been training since March through the assistance of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Sports Association of the Differently-Abled and Philippine Bowling Congress.

They are coached by Richard Jay R.S. Sunico, sports director of the Phil-Sports Federation of the Deaf.

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Sports

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• deaf
• bowlers