23 August 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Brunei reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the 12-man delegation of special athletes garnered 21 awards in the  2005 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce Competition held on 12-14 August 2005 in Brunei Darussalam.

Fresh from their successful participation in the 6th Special Olympics Singapore National Games in June, the Philippine team garnered 3 golds, 6 silvers, 10 bronze and 2 ribbons in all the events played, singles, doubles and team, with all athletes winning at least one medal each. They were accompanied by five team officials.

Bocce is played with a set of  8 large bocce balls (4 green and 4 red) and one smaller target ball called a ”pallino”.  The object of the game of Bocce is for one team to get as many of their balls closer to the pallino than any of the opponent's balls.

In  a brief remark, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez addressed the special athletes as 'special ambassadors' of the Philippines and said that the experience of hosting and mingling with the special athletes was one of a kind. She also conveyed her gratitude to the organizers of the competition, Pusat Ehsan and the Brunei liaison officers, for their generous and warm reception towards the Philippine Special Olympics team.

Her Royal Highness Princess Azeniah Ni'matul Bolkiah, patron of Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam, graced the opening and closing of the games, which saw over 160 special athletes from Brunei Darussalam, Bangladesh, Philippines, Thailand, and the cities of Selangor, Perak, Beaufort, Sandakan, Labuan, and Miri in Malaysia participating.

While in Brunei, the Philippine team was treated to Filipino hospitality.  Philippine food chain Jollibee hosted the special athletes for lunch on Monday at their Utama Bowling outlet.   In the evening, the delegation had dinner at the Ang Bahay, where the special athletes proudly presented their medals to Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez. Anyati Abdullah Orcullo, a Filipina married to a Bruneian businessman, also  hosted lunch at their residence. Before leaving for the Brunei International Airport, the Philippine delegation was brought lo Kabayan Fiesta where a sumptuous hi-tea reception awaited them.

The head of the Philippine delegation and Chairman of the Board of Special Olympics Philippines, Mr. Alexander Babst, was profuse in expressing his appreciation for the overwhelming hospitality they received while in Brunei. Close bonds of friendships had been formed with their Bruneian friends during their one week stay in the Sultanate with promises of reunions in the near future.

Mr. Babst said that they were all returning to Manila with fond memories and contented hearts.   Together with the other members of the delegation who were all first-time visitors in Brunei, they were deeply grateful for the graciousness and generosity extended to them by the Government and People of Brunei Darussalam and all those who have selflessly contributed for the resounding success of the first-ever Special Olympics competition here.  END