THE world champions—gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio—are busy as a bee.
After arriving to a heroes’ welcome on Tuesday night and gracing a well-attended press conference in Manila, the champions were in Malacañang late Wednesday to present to President Duterte the gold medals they won in Germany and Russia, respectively, during the world championships for gymnastics and women’s boxing.
On Thursday afternoon, Yulo was in Forbes Park in Makati City at the Japanese Ambassador’s official residence this time to pay Ambassador Koji Haneda a courtesy call. He was accompanied by his Japanese Coach Munehiro Kugimiya and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion, along with Haneda’s wife Ihoko Haneda.
President Duterte welcomed the Yulo and Petecio, along with pole vaulter EJ Obiena, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial during the athletes’ courtesy at the Palace.
Duterte gave Yulo and Petecio P1 million each for their world championships conquests. The bonus was an addition to the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) cash reward of the same amount to the two champions which were already handed to them earlier.
Obiena received a bigger sum of P1.65 million from the PSC for his achievement at the World University Games and Asian Athletics Championships.
The President also gave P500,000 to Diaz, who won two bronze medals at the world championships in Thailand, and Marcial, who earned silver at the men’s world championships also in Russia.
The Siklab Foundation headed by Presidential Adviser on Sports Dennis Uy, also pledged a reward of P500,000 each for Yulo, Petecio and Obiena.
The MVP Sports Foundation, through patron Manny V. Pangilinan, rewarded Yulo and Petecio P1 million each.
On Thursday, Yulo visited his alma mater, Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in San Andres in Manila, and delivered an inspirational message to the students. He later joined Obiena for a visit to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza