MANILA: The House of Representatives on Wednesday gave congressional medals to the Filipino athletes who participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics, celebrating them as the nation’s heroes with a fitting heroes’ welcome.
‘We recognize that the journey to Olympic glory is paved with countless hours of training, sacrifices, and moments of doubt. But you persevered. You kept your eyes on bringing pride and glory, and your hearts filled with the hopes of our people. And for that, you have become more than just athletes; you are our heroes,’ Speaker Martin Romualdez said in his speech during the congressional reception for the Filipino Olympians.
Romualdez conferred the Congressional Medal of Excellence on double gymnastics gold medalist Carlos Yulo, and the Congressional Medals of Distinction to boxing bronze medalists Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.
The Congressional Medal of Excellence is the highest award to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science and arts, and culture.
Romualdez said Yulo
got PHP6 million from the House of Representatives for his two golds and an additional PHP8.010 million from contributions of House members.
This is on top of the PHP500,000 he received before he left for the Paris Olympics. In total, Yulo received PHP14.510 million from the House.
Meanwhile, Petecio and Villegas got PHP1 million each for winning a bronze medal and an additional PHP2.5 million each from contributions of House members.
Both boxers received PHP500,000 each before leaving for France, for a total of PHP4 million each.
The House also honored the rest of the Filipino athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics.
Romualdez said the congressional awards and the medals the athletes won ‘are also a reminder of the collective effort behind your success – your coaches, your families, your friends, and the entire nation that cheered you on with every step, every jump, every stroke, and every lift.’
He said each Olympic medalist ‘has not only won a medal but also brought immense pride to our nation.’
T
he Philippines was represented in the Paris Olympics by 22 world-class athletes who competed in nine different sporting events.
They were Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar for artistic gymnastics; Villegas, Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial for boxing; Ernest John Obiena, John Cabang-Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman for athletics; Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ann Ando for weightlifting; Joanie Delgaco for rowing; Samantha Catantan for fencing; Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch for swimming; Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina for golf; and Kiyomi Watanabe for judo.
The Speaker’s office said each of the remaining 19 Olympic athletes got a total of PHP1 million: PHP500,000 before leaving the country and PHP500,000 during Wednesday’s ceremony.
Source: Philippines News Agency