Man of his word

It’s been POC president and Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino’s promise to reward every Filipino Olympic medalist a house and lot in Tagaytay since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. No doubt, he’s a man of his word as Tolentino has provided the country’s six medalists in the last two Olympics with a home of their own.

Tokyo Olympic weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz was given a 220-square meter, two-storey home at Isabel Heights, Barangay Kaybagal Central, for her feat. Tokyo Olympic boxing silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam were awarded a 125-square meter, two-bedroom with attic home each at Olympic Lane, Barangay San Jose, while boxing bronze medalist Eumir Marcial received the same incentive valued at least P5 million.

Last Sunday, Tolentino was all smiles at the blessing and turnover rites of the homes of the Paris Olympic achievers. Two-time gymnastics gold medalist Carlos Yulo walked into his 500-square meter, two-storey, three-bedroom home. The value of the house and lot is P15-20 million. Bronze medalists Petecio and Aira Villegas were gifted with a 220-square meter, two-storey, three-bedroom home each. The three homes are located at Prime Park Subdivision, Barangay Silang Crossing West.

Petecio now has two Tagaytay homes, one for Tokyo and another for Paris. She’ll live in one and rent out the other. Petecio is aiming for an Olympic grand slam at the 2028 LA Games. A silver and bronze are in her treasure trove. What’s missing is a gold. “Walang hinto, hangga’t walang ginto,” declared Petecio who’ll be 37 when the next Olympics are held. Another Olympic medal will mean a third Tagaytay home for the 2019 world champion.

Tolentino said he has already reserved properties for the coming LA Olympic medalists, no matter how many they’ll be. “Carlos, Nesthy and Aira got their own homes with different specs as per their request,” he noted. “Same size of 220 square meters for Nesthy and Aira with three bedrooms. For Carlos, 500 square meters with three bedrooms, a big gazebo and garage in one compound subdivision.” Tolentino’s Olympic watch started on his first POC term as president in time for Tokyo. “Our Tokyo medalists got their homes in a different subdivision,” he said. “The homes of the Tokyo and Paris medalists are all in Tagaytay.” Tolentino’s Olympic watch will extend to LA.

Tolentino called each unit a “home for champions.” In an audio-visual celebrating the blessing and turnover, he said: “Every great journey begins with a dream. Every victory is built on sacrifice, hard work and an unbreakable spirit. We honor those who have given their all for the country. They did not just compete. They inspired. They did not just win medals. They made history. To our gold and bronze medalists, this is our way of saying thank you. Thank you for bringing honor to our country. Thank you for inspiring generations to come.” An Olympic community of medalists has risen in Tagaytay and it’s a promise fulfilled by the man of his word.