Heroes’ parade for Yulo, Olympians moved to Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo will receive a Presidential Medal of Merit while other athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics will be given presidential citations during their heroes’ welcome at Malacañang today.

President Marcos will lead the nation in honoring the Filipino Olympians and in celebrating the Philippines’ historic feat at the 2024 Olympic games, where the country won two gold and two bronze medals.

“They want it to be a heroes’ welcome and it’s very much focused on them and what they have done to honor the nation,” chief of presidential protocol Reichel Quiñones said at a press briefing yesterday.

“I would describe it as simple but meaningful,” she added.

Quiñones said the athletes would arrive in the Philippines on a chartered flight at about 6 p.m. today at the Maharlika Lounge of Villamor Air Base, where their families will welcome them.

From Villamor Air Base, the athletes will proceed to Malacañang, where they will be welcomed by Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos. An awarding ceremony in honor of the Filipino Olympians and a dinner reception will be held at the ceremonial hall.

“We’re giving presidential citations to all of the athletes including the two – Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas who received bronze medals. Carlos Yulo will be receiving a Presidential Medal of Merit,” Quiñones said.

Petecio and Villegas won bronze medals in their respective boxing weight divisions.

Tomorrow, a 7.7-kilometer parade will be held in honor of the athletes who competed in the Olympics.

The motorcade will start 3 p.m. at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City and will pass through Roxas Boulevard, Padre Burgos street, Finance Road, Taft Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Adriatico Street, until it reaches the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Philippine National Police is making security preparations to ensure safety during the heroes’ welcome and the parade for the Filipino athletes, according to PNP’s chief publicist Col. Jean Fajardo.

“The PNP is committed to providing the appropriate number of personnel to ensure the safety and security of our returning athletes as they are welcomed home,” Fajardo said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has announced that they will implement a stop-and-go scheme starting at 3 p.m. to give way to the parade.

In addition, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Dale de Vera said Marcos would provide cash incentives to the Olympic athletes, on top of the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

Under the Act, Olympic gold medalists will receive P10 million, while silver and bronze medalists will be given P5 million and P2 million, respectively.

Asked about reports that Yulo’s family was not invited to the Villamor Air Base and Malacañang, Quiñones replied: “Just to be very clear about it, what we actually provided was that each athlete was allowed to invite up to four members either from their family, close ones, etcetera, we left that entirely up to them. So, whoever is part of that welcome is who the athletes want to be there.”

Speaker Martin Romualdez extended yesterday his “heartfelt congratulations” to all the athletes who made Filipinos very proud for ranking 37th in the world in the Paris Olympics.

“Qualifying for the Olympics is already an extraordinary achievement, and you have shown the world the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit,” Romualdez said.

“This historic finish is a testament to the progress and potential of Philippine sports. It highlights the importance of continued support for our athletes, who have brought honor to our country. Let this be the beginning of even greater successes in the future,” the Speaker added.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Council of Pangasinan has passed a resolution congratulating and commending Yulo for his Olympic win, calling him the epitome of an accomplished homegrown talent whose skills have been developed through grassroots development in Philippine sports.

Yulo has roots in Pangasinan, particularly in Malasiqui town where his mother Angelica is from. — Delon Porcalla, Cesar Ramirez, Mark Ernest Villeza