LOOK: Team Philippines raises flag in style at Paris Paralympics opening ceremony
Team Philippines walked the parade of athletes at the 2024 Paralympics in style donning colorful outfits at the Paris Games' opening ceremony.
The Paralympic games were formally opened on Aug. 28 (Aug. 29 Philippine time) with a grande ceremony at the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysees.
Para swimmer Ernie Gawilan and para archer Agustina Bantiloc carried the flag for the country alongside fellow Pinoy athletes Angel Otom, Jerrold Mangliwan, Cendy Asusano, and Allein Ganapin.
The athletes' uniforms were made by renowned designer Ditta Sandico. The women wore a red and blue shawl that looked like the rays of the Philippine flag and a broach that looked like a sun. Their look is completed with a yellow hat.
Meanwhile, the men donned a black suit adorned with Mangyan hand-embroidered patterns on the right side. Like the women, they also wore a blue hat.
Opening ceremony highlights
The opening ceremony kicked off with former French para swimmer Théo Curin arriving in a taxi cab covered with Phryges, the official mascot for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics.
The event featured performances from Chilly Gonzales, Christine and the Queens, and Lucky Love, who is missing his left arm below the elbow.
The Paralympic flag, meanwhile, was carried by British para sprinter John McFall, who has been selected to be the first parastronaut by the European Space Agency.
After the 90-minute parade of athletes, International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons and France's president Emmanuel Macron took the stage for inspiring speeches.
"These Paralympians are not here to participate," Parsons said. "They are here to compete, win and smash world records. ... But they are also here for equality for the nearly 1.3 billion persons around the world with disabilities. They will redefine what you think is possible."
Five French para athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Fabien Lamirault, Elodie Lorandi, Alexis Hanquinquant, and Nantenin Keïta lit the iconic cauldron at Jardin des Tuileries together.
The Paralympics will run from Aug. 29 until Sept. 8.