By Romeo Braceros, Jr.
 
The Philippine swimming team had a solid start on the first day of the 11th ASEAN Para Games competition in Indonesia Solo, Indonesia, on August 1.
 
The team won two gold medals at the start of the swimming competition at the biggest sporting event for people with disabilities in Southeast Asia.
 
Davaoeo paralympic swimming star Ernie Gawilan won the country's first gold after winning the 400m freestyle S7 event.
 
Gawilan, born with no legs and an incomplete arm due to an attempted abortion and poor prenatal healthcare, is very happy and proud of his gold medal performance.
 
"Thank you, I already contributed to #TeamPhilippines," Gawilan wrote on Facebook.
 
The victory is a huge boost for Gawilan, who failed to win a medal at last year's Tokyo Paralympic Games.
 
Considered the biggest star of the Philippine team in swimming, Gawilan is expected to win more medals in the competition.
 
Aside from Gawilan, Rolando Sabido also won the Men's 400m Freestyle S9 class gold medal.