Bemedalled swimmer Titus Sia dedicates Palaro success to brother in autism spectrum
ILOCOS NORTE - What began as a shared activity with his older brother turned into a passion for Titus Sia, who is now the most decorated male athlete in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
The 12-year-old Sia shared he only started swimming when he was around four years old, joining his brother Chace in the latter's swimming lessons as a way to cope with the challenges of mild autism.
Sia went on to compete in several tournaments every weekend, but would be forced to take a pause for more than two years due to the pandemic. Eventually, when the new normal began, his mother Hyacinth helped him join a swim club at Xavier School to continue his training.
That marked the start of his competitive journey.
"Kasi 'yung older brother ko special and 'yung mama ko decided to make him do swimming so that after each swim lesson he'll be less hyper. She let me joined it and I found joy and I kept swimming after that," Sia said after sweeping all of his seven events in this year's Palaro in Ilocos Norte.
"Five or four (years old ako nag-start) but I stopped for three years because of pandemic. Only after the pandemic did I start doing competitive."
Niño Sia, his father, admitted they had let Titus try other sports like basketball, but the latter opted to go with swimming and shared seeing him do it with his older brother is something special, hoping they inspire others too.
"'Yung older brother niya ay under the spectrum of mild autism," Niño shared.
"Kasi ang mga SPED or special they want water para ma-release 'yung excess energy nila so nu'ng bata siya (older brother) pinapa-swim namin and may personal coach na pumupunta. Eventually, dahil continuous 'yung trainng ng older brother niya, pina-swim na rin si Titus para kahit papaano ay may like skill."
Knowing how his son started out, Niño was just speechless he performed at Palaro.
The younger Sia broke three records to rule the 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle, and 400m events. He also emerged on top in 100m freestyle, 4x50m medley relay, 50m backstroke, and 4x50m freestyle relay.
"Hindi rin namin ine-expect na magkakaganito siya, na mananalo sa mga big events katulad nitong Palaro. Coming from a bronze last year, then now na tatlong recods tapos seven out of seven 'yung gold. Speechless din ako," Niño added.
"Si Titus, mabait naman siya. Never siya nag-complain, kumbaga gustong-gusto niya 'yung pressure."
Titus is set to return to major action in October when he sees action in Batang Pinoy in General Santos City.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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