THE House of Representatives, led by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, joined the nation in commending and congratulating Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio, who won Silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

In a statement, Velasco said he is very proud of the Filipino athletes who are bringing joy and honor to the country in the field of sports.

Likewise, Velasco congratulated Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam for a guaranteed Bronze medal in the men’s flyweight division.

“Filipino Olympians are a source of light and hope for our kababayans in these trying times, and the performance of our boxers in the Tokyo Olympics lifted our spirits. Mabuhay ang mga atletang Pinoy!” Velasco said.

The House leader then urged Filipinos to keep on supporting and praying for other Filipino athletes competing at the Tokyo Summer Olympics, especially those who are still gunning for medals.

Velasco said Filipinos can use the power of social media to pass on their best wishes to national athletes participating in the Olympic Games.

“Our athletes need the support and cheers from all of us to motivate and inspire them to push harder and stretch their limits,” Velasco said.

He cited boxers Eumir Marcial and Paalam and pole vaulter EJ Obiena for their next fight.

Velasco said the country was also hoping for a podium finish for golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan. Saso is the reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion.

The Speaker, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to national athletes who have failed to qualify for medal events, saying “they’ve already made the country proud.”

He thanked skateboarder Margielyn Didal, boxer Irish Magno, weightlifter Elreen Ando, rower Cris Nievarez, taekwondo Jin Kurt Barbosa, rifle shooter Jayson Valdez, sprinter Kristina Knott, judoka Kiyome Watanabe, golfer Juvic Pagunsan, and swimmers Remedy Rule and Luke Gebbie.

The entire nation celebrated the success of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for winning the first Olympic Gold for the Philippines.

FREE FLIGHTS FOR PINOY OLYMPIC ATHLETES

Meanwhile, local carrier AirAsia Philippines said it will give Filipino Olympic athletes free flights.

Earlier, AirAsia gave the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz a lifetime unlimited flights.

AirAsia Philippines celebrated Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio, who won silver in the 2020 Olympic victory with 5-year unlimited flights.

For bronze medalists, the winner will get two years unlimited flights.

AirAsia Philippines is one with the Filipino people in honoring Petecio who bagged silver in the women’s featherweight division.

The Davaoeñs boxer’s heart-stopping bout over Japanese boxer Sena Ire gave the Philippines its second medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

On the other hand, Petecio’s amazing victory in the women’s featherweight (54-57 kg) was not a fairy tale, especially that she had to score a clean win (via unanimous decision) against Columbian boxer Yeni Marcela Arias Castaneda in the quarter finals. She also defeated European boxing champion Irma Testa of Italy via split decision in the semi-final bout.

“Congratulations Nesthy! You definitely punched your mightiest to win this recognition for the Philippines. Your victory is an inspiration to everyone battling the pandemic to continue and never give up on the fight no matter what,” AirAsia Philippines spokesperson Steve Dailisan said.

Aside from Petecio, other Filipino athletes like boxers Carlo Paalam (Men’s Flyweight) and Eumir Marcial ( Middleweight) and Ernest John Obiena (Men’s Pole Vault) are still up in the medal race.

With Willy M. Balasa