SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday told Filipino athletes who participated in the recently 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in France that they are the nation’s heroes.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives made the statement during the conferment of the Congressional Medal of Excellence (adopted as Resolution No. 233) on gymnastics competition double Gold winner Carlos Yulo and Congressional Medal of Distinction (adopted as Resolution Nos. 239 and 240, respectively) on boxing events Bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, a constituent of the Speaker in Tacloban City, and awarding of other delegates.

The Congressional Medal of Excellence is the highest award to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science and arts, and culture.

Resolution No. 241 was adopted to honor all Filipino athletes and the entire Philippine delegation who competed in the last Olympics.

“Kami po dito sa House of the Representatives, House of the People are honored by your victories and by your achievements. We want to thank every one of you. Of course, the coaches and the family that all supported you, for you have made these all possible,” Speaker Romualdez mentioned his kababayan, Villegas, in his short speech.

“We want to take this brief but most memorable opportunity to recognize your achievements in the sports community. You are now what they call the shining beacon. Kayo po ang nagiging ehemplo sa taong-bayan. Sa lahat ng kakayanan ng Pilipinas, ito po ang resulta na kapag nagsama-sama talaga tayo, we can achieve everything. Iyun po ang mensahe ng ating mahal na Presidente kagabi, kaya po kami dito sa Kongreso, we join him in celebrating your victory, recognizing your sacrifices, and recognizing your hard work,” Speaker Romualdez said.

The Philippines was represented in the Paris Olympics by 22 world-class athletes who competed in nine different sporting events, namely 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.

Sports officials accompanied members of the Philippine delegation to Paris to the House of Representatives, where they were given a heroes’ welcome.

Speaker Romualdez, Tingog Rep. Yedda K. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose Mannix “M. Dalipe, Isabela Rep. Michael Carlos Faustino Dy III, and House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” S. Velasco led the awarding of incentives and citations to all the athletes and coaches who attended the event.

Yulo received P6 million from the House of Representatives for his two golds and an additional P8.010 million from contributions of House members led by Speaker Romualdez, Rep. Yedda Romualdez, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Zaldy Co, Gonzales, Dalipe, and Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez.

This is on top of the P500,000 he received before he left for the Paris Olympics. In total, Yulo received P14.510 million.

Petecio and Villegas received P1 million each for winning a bronze medal and an additional P2.5 million each from contributions of House members. They also received P500,000 each before leaving for France, for a total of P4 million each.

Each of the remaining 19 Olympic athletes received a total of P1 million: P500,000 before leaving the country and P500,000 during Wednesday’s ceremony.

“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 Romualdez said.

“As we confer these Congressional Medals and recognition upon you today, know that this honor is not just for your extraordinary feats in Paris, but for the inspiration you have given to every Filipino—young and old. You have shown us that with determination and unity, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” he said.

Last week, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution (HR) No. 1864, which consolidated with other resolutions conferring Yulo the Congressional Medal of Excellence.

The House also conferred the Congressional Medal of Distinction on Petecio, who won Bronze in the 57-kilogram boxing event, and Villegas, Bronze medal winner in the 50-kilogram boxing competition.

On Monday, HR No. 1915 was adopted by the House of Representatives in consolidation with HR Nos. 1901, 1905, 1906, 1911, and 1914, granting Petecio the Congressional Medal of Distinction and Villegas the same honor through adopting HR No. 1916 in consolidation with HR Nos. 1889, 1891, 1895, 1896, 1898, 1909, and 1913.

HR No. 1917, which seeks to honor all Filipino athletes who competed in the last Olympics, was also adopted in consolidation with HR No. 1887.

Speaker 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.”

“You have made us believe once again that we are capable of greatness,” he said.

He said the athletes’ participation and victory in Paris are “stories of triumph, resilience, and sheer determination that our athletes have etched into the annals of history.”

“The Paris 2024 Olympics have once again brought to light the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people—a spirit that rises above challenges and stands tall on the world stage,” he added.

He pointed out that each Olympic medalist “has not only won a medal but also brought immense pride to our nation.”

“Your achievements are a testament to what we can accomplish when we dream big, work hard, and never give up. These medals, made from the purest of metals, represent the purity of your dedication, the strength of your resolve, and the weight of the expectations you carried on behalf of more than 110 million Filipinos,” he stressed.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco