The Tokyo Olympics that were
supposed to be held in 2020, but instead got pushed to this year, finally came
to an end in Sunday, August 8. In the wake of its conclusion is the epic medal
haul of the Philippine Olympians, including the country’s first ever gold
medal, from female weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. The other three on the other hand
came from arguably the best sport for Filipinos in winning Olympic medals:
boxing. Silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam along with bronze
medalist Eumir Marcial have returned to the Philippines this past Monday to
spend quarantine time, but already they have plenty to do once they have
liberty.
According to The Manila Bulletin, Nesthy Petecio for one is generously giving
all her expected cash incentives and other benefits to her parents and family.
For being the first Filipina boxing Olympic silver medalist, Petecio looks fit
to receive a total of about P24 million worth of cash bonuses from the
government and private donors, plus two houses and lots in Tagaytay and
Candelaria, Quezon, and a condo unit in Davao City. The condo is closer to her
Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur hometown, but flight perks from PAL, AirAsia and Cebu
Pacific could get her and her family around.
Meanwhile, Nesthy’s fellow silver
medalist Carlo Paalam is set on returning home as well to Cagayan De Oro once
his quarantine period is complete. Accompanied by his Australian head coach Don
Abnett and Elmer Pamisa, who has trained Paalam since age 11, Carlo hopes to
make it in time to catch the next iteration of CDO’s Boxing at the Park event,
where he got his start as a pugilist. With his own government-private cash
incentives, he plans to donate prize money to the tournament, plus set up a
month-long boxing clinic with Abnett and Pamisa for aspiring national team
boxers.
As for Eumir Marcial, who KO’d
his men’s middleweight quarterfinal opponent only to be stopped at the semis for
a bronze, he will be receiving high honors similar to gold medalist Hidilyn
Diaz, from their common branch of military service, the Philippine Air Force.
As of Monday, the PAF announced that Airman 1st Class Marcial just
got a two-rank promotion to Airman Sergeant, with Eumir in Air Force uniform
getting his new insignia pinned on him right upon arrival at the NAIA. Diaz, a
Sergeant before Tokyo, was promoted to Staff Sergeant following her victory.
All three boxing medalists, plus
their Team PH support team, are currently spending quarantine at the Summit
Ridge Hotel at Tagaytay City, where they received a heroes’ welcome upon
arrival. All three have Tagaytay house and lots awarded to them.
Image courtesy of ESPN 5
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