TEAM PHILIPPINES. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with golfer Dottie Ardina (2nd from right), and gymnasts Aleah Finnegan (far right), Emma Malabuyo (3rd from right), and Levi Jung Ruivivar (2nd from left) in a meet-and-greet in Malacañang on Thursday (Aug. 22, 2024). Like the other non-medalists, the athletes will receive PHP2 million each from the Office of the President and PAGCOR. (PNA Photo by Darryl John Esguerra)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday held another ceremony to honor Filipino athletes who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Marcos met with Dottie Ardina (golf), Aleah Finnegan (gymnastics), Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics), and Levi Jung-Ruivivar (gymnastics) in a meet-and-greet in Malacañang.
The four Olympians, along with golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, who is currently training overseas, missed the heroes welcome for the Philippine delegation in the 2024 Paris Olympics last Aug. 13.
Marcos, in a short media interview, said the second ceremony was meant to ensure that all the athletes who donned the country’s colors in the Olympics will be given their much-deserved recognition.
The five Olympians, according to the President, were unable to attend the first ceremony due to prior commitments and a “mix up” in communication.
“Nung nagpa-reception kami dito, wala sila dito; nagbibiyahe, at nagkamix up, huli na ‘yung pagkasabi sa kanila, hindi na sila nakauwi (When we held the first reception, they were not here; they were traveling and there’s a mix up in communication so they were not informed in time).
“Kaya’t sabi namin, pareho naman yung kanilang pinaghirapan, so dapat andun din sila... Sayang lang hindi nila napuntahan yung parada, pero at least everything else ay nagawa (So, I said they should be here too, their sacrifices were the same. It's too bad they weren’t unable to join the parade, but at least we’re able to do something for them). We’re happy, we were able to do something extra for those that did not make it to the first round,” he added.
Also present in the ceremony at the Palace were the athletes’ relatives.
Like the other non-medalists, the athletes will receive PHP2 million each from the Office of the President and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
After handing out their incentives, the President even took the time to have a chat with the athletes.
On Aug. 13, 17 of the 22-strong Philippine Team returned to Manila and were greeted with a heroes’ welcome.
The next day, they were given a parade around the streets of Manila where thousands of fans joined them in celebrating the country’s best performance in the Olympics. (PNA)
