MANILA — Young para table-tennis standout Lhey Marie Manginsay will carry the national flag for the Philippines at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Manginsay — hailing from Zamboanga Sibugay — was tapped to lead the Filipino contingent into the parade of nations on December 10, a role that organizers and officials say reflects both her promise and the growing recognition of para athletes in the country.
“This is not just an honor, but a responsibility,” she said, adding that being flag-bearer means carrying “the hopes and stories of every Filipino para athlete, especially the youth who dreams of being in this position someday.”
Her selection comes on the heels of a breakthrough performance earlier this year at the 2025 ITTF World Para Future Tournament in Taipei, where she — together with a doubles partner — delivered the Philippines’ lone gold medal in the mixed-doubles XD17-Group 1 event.
Manginsay to Lead a Lean, Determined Contingent
The Philippine delegation for the 2025 AYPG is a compact but diverse team: 48 para-athletes competing across nine sports.
Among them are four para table-tennis players — with Manginsay standing out not merely for her competitive credentials, but now as the face of the national flag at the Games’ opening.
The 2025 AYPG runs from December 7 to 14, with classification events beginning December 7 and competition slated to start December 10.
In the previous edition (2021, Manama, Bahrain), the Philippines returned home with one gold, six silvers, and two bronzes.
With Manginsay leading the charge — and a motivated team behind her — hopes are high that young Filipino para-athletes can improve on that haul and make a strong statement in Dubai.
As the flagbearer for the country, Manginsay carries not only the national emblem — but also the aspirations of a new generation of para athletes eyeing international success and recognition.
Photo: Philippine Sports Commission
About The Author
