Para swimmer gets surprise debut party

IN what could be the first time in the history of the Palarong Pambansa, a student athlete was treated to a coming-of-age celebration on Wednesday, August 2, at the San Roque Elementary School in Marikina City.

Meet Jacqueline Castro, a para swimmer from Pangalangan National High School in San Carlos City, Pangasinan. She turned 18 on Wednesday and a spontaneous debut party was held for her.

COMING OF AGE Jacqueline Castro, a para swimmer from the Ilocos Region, gets her traditional dance from fellow athletes during a surprise debut party given to her by the Region 1 delegation at the San Roque Elementary School covered court in Marikina City on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. PHOTO FROM DEPED ILOCOS SDO 

Castro said she talked about her birthday only to her coach Emma Aba.

Aba, however, shared it with the other coaches until it reached the delegation officials of the Ilocos Region, who gamely threw a party for the debutante.

“I told my coach about my birthday and she told the other coaches,” said Castro in Filipino.

It was not just an ordinary celebration for Castro because the surprise party came with the traditional “18 roses” given to her by fellow athletes and some officials who also danced with her on the stage.

“I thought they were just going to buy me a cake but I didn’t expect that they’re going to throw a debut party for me here at the covered court. I thought we’re just going to celebrate at the room,” she said.

Castro and the rest of the Region 1 delegates are housed at the San Roque Elementary School in Marikina City.

“I’m very grateful [for the party] because I never expect to have my debut here in Marikina,” added Castro, whose party was put in place by Sheila Marie Primicias, Ilocos Schools Division superintendent

The debut party, however, is not the highlight of Castro’s last stint at the Palarong Pambansa.

If anything, the debut was just a side story to her double gold medal performance.

Playing in her second and last Palarong Pambansa in the category of student athletes with intellectual disability, Castro seized the gold medal in the 50-m backstroke on Tuesday, August 1, and another in the 50-m freestyle on Thursday, August 3.

The 4-foot-11 swimmer also bagged the silver medal in the 50-m breaststroke on her birthday.

“I’m very happy because it’s my first time [winning a gold medal last Tuesday],” said Castro, who also competed in 2019, the last time the Palarong Pambansa was held before it was called off at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s a rare opportunity for me to win a gold. I’m very grateful, especially to God. I wouldn’t be able to do this without my trust in Him. I also thank my coaches who take care of us and without them, I wouldn’t be here. I’m really grateful.”

As someone who’s diagnosed with “intellectual disability” which she said she doesn’t know why, confidence was an issue for Castro.

Eventually, she came out of her shell and made her case as one of the best para-athletes in this year’s games.

Castro encourages the youth to do what she did, show the world what they can despite being differently-abled.

“My piece of advice is for them to be confident. We’re all human beings and just because you lack a hand or what, it doesn’t mean you don’t have any worth. You’re still worthy and you belong” shared Castro.

“You belong in this kind of competitions just like most of the youth. We can’t avoid the people who belittle the people with disability but what they don’t know is that we’re also capable to compete in this Palaro.”