FILIPINO Olympians returned to the country after a spectacular campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympics. They were warmly welcomed back by a cheering crowd at the Villamor Airbase on Tuesday night before traveling to Malacañang Palace.
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The Philippine Centennial Team was led by two-time Olympic gold champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, bronze medalist boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
The returning athletes were greeted first by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, followed by other members of the First Family.
Olympians in the Palace
The President praised the athletes’ efforts and sacrifices during the Heroes Welcome Ceremony at Malacañang, making it a heartwarming event to celebrate their important achievements.
“What we should do is really recognize all the athletes, number one, all the athletes,” President Marcos Jr. said. “Kahit sinong atleta dito sa Pilipinas o kung saan man lang, na makapag-qualify sa Olympics, mabigat ‘yun.”
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“Hihingi ako ng paumanhin ninyo dahil maliit lang at alam ko na ‘yung isang milyong piso halimbawa ay ikumpara mo sa inyong sakripisyo, ikumpara ninyo sa inyong pinagdaanan, ikumpara ninyo, napakaliit lang.”
Marcos Jr. presented the Presidential Medal of Merit to Yulo, who became the first Filipino to win multiple Olympic gold medals. While the other 21 athletes received Presidential Citations.
More incentives on the side
Off of the 22-man Filipino Olympians, only 17 were in attendance last night. Gymnasts Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan, and Levi Ruivivar were missing, as were golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina.
Nonetheless, all Olympic athletes are promised P2 million. The Office of the President (OP) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) collaborated to double the incentives.
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Petecio and Villegas, on the other hand, will each receive P4 million, which includes the law-mandated P2 million bonus winning an Olympic bronze medal. Meanwhile, Yulo holds the largest pot among all athletes.
Yulo received a total of P40 million, including the government’s P10 million for each gold medal and PAGCOR’s gesture of matching the incentives laid by the OP, excluding incentives from private enterprises.
The President also expressed gratitude to the coaching team for shaping and preparing these athletes for the Olympics, and announced that each member will receive P500,000 from his office.
Let’s plan ahead
In addition to the incentives offered to these Olympians, President Marcos Jr. asked all athletes to work with the government to improve the Filipino sports system in the coming years.
“Walang pormal na istraktura para tulungan ‘yung ating mga atleta. And that’s what we are going to establish now,” Marcos said. “So, I ask all of you to tell us, what is it that you need.”
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“Saan kayo nahirapan? Anong hindi ninyo magawa na maitutulong namin? You tell us and hopefully, if we really work together and start to prepare for not only the Olympics. We start to prepare for all the international competitions.”
Filipinos are optimistic that the government will provide adequate assistance for these athletes, along with an established strategy for the future. This year’s Olympics demonstrated that Filipinos can compete with powerhouse countries.
Nonetheless, the celebrations will resume this afternoon, with a victory parade beginning at the Aliw Theater in the CCP Complex and ending at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex to honor the Olympians.
