Paris Olympic medalists Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas pose for photos with lawmakers during the Congressional Reception for the Philippine delegation at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. A cash gift worth P14 million was given to Yulo for his double-gold performance, while Petecio and Villegas each received P2.5 million after bagging bronze medal in different women’s boxing events. - Photo: Gabriel P. Lalu/ INQUIRER.net
MANILA: It was a red carpet affair in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (Aug 14) as the chamber feted the 22 Filipinos who competed at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
“We recognise that the journey to Olympic glory is paved with countless hours of training, sacrifices, and moments of doubt,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
“But you persevered ... And for that, you have become more than just athletes; you are our heroes.”
All the 22 Olympians received a total of US$727,982 (P41.51 million) in cash, in addition to the US$754,113 (P43 million) the athletes received from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. upon their arrival on Tuesday evening.
The lion’s share of the cash reward of course went to gymnast Carlos Yulo for his two gold medals.
Yulo received a total of US$254,469 (P14.51 million) from the House: US$105,225 (P6 million) for his two gymnastics golds and an additional US$140,475 (P8.01 million) from members of Congress’ personal contributions, on top of the US$8,768 (P500,000) he received before leaving for Paris.
Bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas received US$17,537 (P1 million) each for their bronze medal boxing events and an additional US$43,843 (P2.5 million) each from contributions of House members, on top of the US$8,768 (P500,000) they received before leaving for Paris.
Honour roll
The remaining 19 Olympians each received a total of US$17,537 (P1 million): US8,768 (P500,000) before leaving the country and US$8,768 (P500,000) during Wednesday’s ceremony.
The 22 athletes represented the country in nine different sports. They are: Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Jung-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 Ceniza and Elreen Ann Ando for weightlifting; Joanie Delgaco for rowing; Samantha Catantan for fencing; Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch for swimming; Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina for golf; and Kiyomi Watanabe for judo.
Last week, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 1864, which was consolidated with other resolutions conferring on Yulo the Congressional Medal of Excellence.
The House also conferred the Congressional Medal of Distinction on Petecio, who won bronze in the 57-kg boxing event, and Villegas, bronze medal winner in the 50-kg boxing competition.
Palace reception
Upon the Olympians arrival on Tuesday, President Marcos honoured the Olympians with a presidential reception at Malacanang where he handed out a total of US$754,113 (P43 million) to the athletes plus US$8,768 (P500,000) each for their coaching staff.
“If you consider that all of these athletes who have done so well and have made us so proud, [had] no official, technical support from the government,” he said, addressing 17 of the 22 Olympians who attended the event.
"This did not happen just last year but this takes long periods of struggles.
"You go through injuries, you go through times that you cannot go to competitions abroad because of lack of funds. And yet you came through," he said.
"So, I ask all of you to tell us, what is it that you need?
"What were your struggles while in training? What were you not able to do in which we can be of help?" the President said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
