Metro Manila, Philippines — Filipinos endured Wednesday’s heat to cheer and wave flags during a spectacle in Manila that paraded athletes who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Thousands of supporters saw 13 of the 22-strong Summer Games contingent on a float adorned with the legendary Olympic rings on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
The Filipino Olympians wave to their supporters, who have been waiting for the homecoming parade, at Rizal Park | @dsfernandez pic.twitter.com/B0xFBEXiKx
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) August 14, 2024
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Carlos Yulo led the group as the motorcade treaded 7.7 kilometers of roads in the capital, cheered on by people, mostly students still in uniforms.
WATCH: 'CALOY DITO PAPA MO'
Carlos Yulo's father, Mark Andrew Yulo, joins the crowd in cheering for the two-time Olympic gold medalist during the Heroes' Parade of Filipino Olympians | @TristanNodalo
🎥 RTVM pic.twitter.com/qkRgMOckbJ
— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) August 14, 2024
Boxers and bronze medalists Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio joined Yulo. Athletes Kiyomi Watanabe, Samantha Catantan, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam, Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, Jarod Hatch, Joannie Delgaco, Elreen Ando, and Kayla Sanchez also waved to supporters.
The parade began minutes past 4 p.m. at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.
The delegation brought home two gold and two bronze medals in the country’s best showing yet.
The athletes arrived Tuesday night at the Villamor Air Base. They then proceeded to Malacañan Palace where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first family welcomed them for an awarding ceremony.
It then passed by Rizal Park, where several people were waiting, including supporters who came all the way from provinces.
“Actually, I’m from Davao City po. Lumuwas po ako to Maynila para makita ko lang po si Carlos Yulo. Kahapon lang po ako bumiyahe po,” Dan Sanchez shared.
[Translation: Actually, I’m from Davao City. I went here in Manila just to see Carlos Yulo. I traveled yesterday.]
“Walang pagod basta kay Yulo… Kahit mainit, malamig na rin,” Grace Amadeo, who traveled from Cavite, said.
[Translation: I won’t get tired as long as it is for Yulo. Even though the weather’s hot, it becomes cold for me as long as I will see Yulo.]
Around 6 p.m., the delegation reached Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the end-point of the parade where thousands more had been waiting.
Based on police estimates, about 25,000 individuals participated in the parade.
