Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia made the recommendation during Friday night’s send-off party for athletes at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

“It was a great honor to be asked as a flag bearer of our country,” Cojuangco-Jaworski said. “I was surprised because I was only told that I would be just sharing some inspirational messages from my experience in Busan.”

Cojuangco-Jaworski was referring to her feat at the 2002 Busan Asian Games in South Korea, where she won the gold medal in show jumping at the last day of the quadrennial meet. The country finished with three golds, seven silvers and 16 bronzes in the said edition.

“It is only fitting that someone like Mikee will be our flag bearer in Guangzhou,” Garcia said. “She has brought honor to the country as a former Asian Games gold medalist that can inspire our athletes.”

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. gave his daughter the choice to decide, saying: “As her father, it would not look good if we name her as a flag bearer. But since it was a request, it would be up to her.”

“She has been dedicating herself to sports for as long as long as I can remember. She deserves it,” Cojuangco added.

Cojuangco-Jaworski became the first “non-participant” to carry the country’s flag in the elite competition scene since world-class boxer Manny Pacquiao carried the honors at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Kristel Satumbaga, Manila Bulletin