THE Heroes’ Victory Parade, honoring Filipino Olympians who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, drew crowds to Manila’s already congested streets yesterday.
Photo Courtesy: Daniel Jacob | Instagram
There is no better way to commemorate the victories of double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, bronze medalists Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio, and the rest of the Filipino Olympians than with a victory parade.
Let the parade begin!
The Filipino bets in France, particularly Yulo, were greeted warmly by their compatriots throughout the 7.7 kilometer march, which began outside the Aliw Theatre in Pasay at approximately 4:00 PM.
The celebration proceeded as planned, moving along Roxas Boulevard, Padre Burgos Avenue, Finance Road, Taft Avenue, Quirino Avenue, and Adriatico Street before ending inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Photo Courtesy: Daniel Jacob | Instagram
Giant posters of Yulo, Villegas, and Petecio greeted them as they walked around the city. The Philippine Air Force also flew by, dropping confetti on the athletes and fans gathered on the streets.
According to the Manila Police District, there were around 1,500 people who attended the parade. One of them was the Golden Boy’s father, Mark Andrew, whom he saluted as he passed by.
Meanwhile, the float carrying 16 Olympians throughout the parade arrived at the Rizal Memorial Stadium at 6:15 PM, where a program honoring the athletes was held.
Message from Medalists
When the Olympians arrived at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, each athlete was introduced to the entire audience. The athletes gathered in the center, with the medalists given the option to leave a statement.
Villegas and Petecio, Olympic bronze medalists, started it all by thanking the entire Filipino community for their support and spreading words that would motivate all aspiring athletes.
“Taos puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa suporta niyo at sa prayers niyo. Lalo na po sa mga nanood sa amin kahit madaling araw na po dito sa Pilipinas. Maraming salamat po!” said Villegas to the crowd.
“Sa mga kabataan po na nag-aim na sundan ‘yung yapak po naming lahat na nandito po sa harapan ninyo, huwag niyo pong pigilan ‘yung sarili ninyo, huwag niyo pigilan na abutin ‘yung pangarap niyo,” says Petecio.
“Lagi niyo pong tatandaan, sa bawat pag hindi ni Lord, sa bawat ayaw ni Lord na ibigay ‘yung gusto natin, mas better palagi ang plano ng Panginoon palagi kaysa sa atin.”
Photo Courtesy: Daniel Jacob | Instagram
Meanwhile, Yulo was speechless owing to the incredible reception they received during the day, and just thanked everyone who supported the entire Philippine Centennial Team in Paris.
EJ Obiena, fourth-place pole vaulter, was missing from the victory parade, as were gymnasts Levi Ruivivar, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and golfers Dottie Ardina and Bianca Pagdanganan.
Nonetheless, it was an amazing experience that brought back the heroes of today’s Philippine sports, who helped the country achieve its greatest finish in 100 years of competing in the world’s largest quadrennial sporting event.
