Love is in the air.
Unseen but felt when set in motion, even in the slightest brush against the skin.
Last Valentine’s Day, it took a student organization to create a space where love moved freely for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), flowing from family, friends and the wider community.
The University of the Philippines Supporting PWDs through Exercise and Recreation (UP SUPER) hosted “Hearts of Steel: SUPER Games 2026” on Feb. 15 at the UP Baseball Field and UP College of Human Kinetics (CHK) New Court. The sports event celebrated fondness while promoting inclusivity through mobility and recreation.
Set in motion
Only in its second year, the SUPER Games have already undergone improvements since its first edition. From an applicant batch pitch of a Philippine Games-style competition for the PWD community, the idea evolved into a full-scale event executed in 2025 and modified to include a basketball segment.
This year’s UP SUPER elevated the games into a mini-Olympic-style event, featuring a two-part program with athletics, five-a-side football and boccia competitions in the morning plus an adaptive basketball exhibition in the afternoon.
Part of the planning phase for the SUPER Games 2026 was the inclusion of PWDs in wheelchairs and a more open space for their families and guardians.
“We also took into consideration how PWD-friendly the facilities are kasi I would say that we [have] a long way to go. CHK, specifically also, kulang sa ramps [at] kulang sa elevators,” UP SUPER President Arianne Almazan shared with Tinig ng Plaridel.
With an opportunity to turn its flagship event into an annual activity, the nearly six-year-old organization has set higher goals to expand its reach and forward the cause.
Almazan highlighted its target to open the event to the public to reach more of the PWD and para-athletes community. “One day, I would really hope for it to be more known, to reach more people,” she shared. “Kasi at the end of the day, this is for a greater cause — bigger than our own benefit. And I think na if we get to reach more people, it would also inspire more [to help].”
Despite the SUPER Games being designed to cater to PWDs and para-athletes, its advocacy extends to the general public as a call to pursue inclusivity.
By recognizing the capabilities, talents and potential of the PWD community, they are no longer boxed into stereotypes that exclude them from places where they can dominate themselves.
Dreams across the sky
The Philippine National Team for the Para Games, who were in attendance at the SUPER Games 2026, are a prime example of power and inspiration. They took home a haul of 134 medals in the 2026 ASEAN Para Games in Thailand last January.
Erwin Trevenio, a para-athlete with cerebral palsy, shared how the Philippine Boccia National Team trains three times a week, starting at 5 a.m.
“[Ma]hirap din ‘yon, ‘di madali ang training. Walang madali sa sports pero kung gusto mo naman ‘yong sports, kapag nasanay ka rin [ay] magugustuhan mo rin siya,” Trevenio shared.
These are the lengths they go to and dreams they carry despite the athletic and physical demands of their sport — ones they hope more people in the country and around the world will come to recognize.
Events such as the SUPER Games showcase the gifts PWDs possess. “At least nagiging aware ‘yong mga tao na ang mga PWDs ay puwede magkaroon ng sports at puwede kami maging active. At the same time, we become active members of society,” shared Boccia Philippine National Team Captain Ramon Apilado.
Organizations such as UP SUPER empower the PWD community to break free from the idea that they are bound to restrictions and are incapable of participating in physical or social activities.
But sports are not the only stars worth reaching for.
One with the stars
The SUPER Games bring together a community that also cares for the unseen disabilities.
“We also want to highlight that it’s not just about the physical disabilities but all invisible disabilities should [also] be considered,” The UP SUPER President shared.
Almazan made it a point that even issues with one’s mental health and other intellectual disabilities deserve the same amount of attention and support.
With the right and accessible opportunities, Clarence Cruz was able to bring his creativity to the room where the Metro Manila Film Festival entry I’m Perfect (2025) by Sigrid Bernardo was created.
Cruz is a person with autism who is happily working as a promo team member of the Nathan Studios Inc. and an actor, while also pursuing inclusivity for the PWD and autistic community through Project Empower.
Apart from his hobby of running and competing in the SUPER Games athletics category, Cruz has a burning passion for film and singing.
Proud of the success of I’m Perfect, Cruz dreams of advancing his advocacy to the world through his career.
“One of my goals this year is to pursue a showbiz career kasi gusto ko mag-advocate ng awareness, acceptance, action and independence sa persons with autism,” he shared.
But apart from his drive for a cause, the actor and aspiring filmmaker is a light of inspiration to those who dare to dream big.
“Gusto ko rin mag-advocate na it’s never too late to pursue showbiz kahit na nasa 30s na,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to be yourself and to do what you love.”
Indeed, the world is big enough for everyone to dream big. It is through events such as the SUPER Games that dreams are born, set in motion or achieved. It then becomes a matter of reaching more of these dreamers.
“Other people have more avenues [and] more ways [to] help so I hope that they take that chance,” Almazan said. “The fact that we are able to speak up about this and do these simple events is a privilege.”
UP SUPER and its Hearts of Steel: SUPER Games 2026 lived up to its name — going the extra mile to bring communities together in a shared mission with shared smiles.
Even in a wide-open field, all it takes is a simple student organization willing to send its heart out into the wind, until its howling breeze travels far to set someone’s dreams in motion.
That is when communities soar hand-in-hand with love in the air.
