Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 8) – More rewards await the four Filipino medalists in the Tokyo Olympics, who completed the country’s best Olympic finish since joining the quadrennial competition in 1924.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino announced in a news conference Sunday that additional monetary incentives will be given to the four Filipino Olympic medalists, sourced from the savings of the organization.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who ended the country’s 97-year wait for an Olympic gold, will receive ₱3 million from the POC. Silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will get ₱2 million, while bronze medalist Eumir Marcial will have ₱1 million, Tolentino announced.
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Tolentino also pledged his personal rewards of a house and lot each in Tagaytay to Paalam, Petecio, and Marcial. He earlier made the same pledge to Diaz.
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“All the boxing medalists will get a house and lot in Tagaytay. This is for them to share with their families,” said Tolentino.
Paalam and Marcial were surprised with the announcement of Tolentino and happily thanked the POC chief for the rewards.
“Sobrang saya namin, bigla akong napawisan, (I am so happy, I became sweaty suddenly,)” Marcial said with a laugh.
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“Malaking bagay po ito para sa akin at ang pamilya ko, (This will be a big help for me and for my family,)” said Paalam.
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The four Filipino Olympic medalists are expected to receive more monetary rewards in millions of pesos from the private sector. The government is mandated to give ₱10 million to an Olympic gold medalist, ₱5 million to an Olympic silver medalist, and ₱2 million to an Olympic bronze medalist.
The one gold-two silver-one bronze medal haul of the Philippines bested the three-bronze collection of the country in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, its previous best finish in the Olympics. The country is also the best-performing Southeast Asian nation in the Tokyo Games.
