MANILA, Philippines — The four Filipino athletes who bagged medals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were conferred congressional awards Tuesday at the House of Representatives.
Filipino athletes Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial are in the House of Representatives today to receive their congressional award for bagging medals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Photo from: Office of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/wg2H1X3Bbk
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) September 7, 2021
During Tuesday’s session, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz was conferred the Congressional Medal of Excellence after her following her historic gold medal win in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This was the first-ever gold medal that the Philippines won in the said international competition.
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who bagged the first ever Olympic gold medal for the Philippines, is conferred the Congressional Medal of Excellence. She is the first ever recipient of the award. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/JsHUeMiAgz
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) September 7, 2021
Meanwhile, boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial were conferred the Congressional Medal of Distinction.
Petecio won a silver medal in the women’s featherweight division, Paalam bagged a silver medal in the men’s flyweight division, while Marcial secured a bronze medal in the men’s middleweight division. Petecio is also the first Filipino woman who secured a silver medal in boxing in the Olympics.
Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, and Nesthy Petecio are conferred the Congressional Medal of Distinction in the House of Representatives following their Olympics stint. Paalam and Petecio bagged silver medals while Marcial took home bronze. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/mmjFEuo8OX
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) September 7, 2021
The Congressional Medal of Distinction is given to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science, and other fields while the Congressional Medal of Excellence is given specifically to athletes who bagged gold medal in the Olympics.
“You have shown the world what Filipinos can achieve, despite facing the most difficult of circumstances. Your determination and fighting spirit have inspired countless Filipinos during these trying times,” House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said.
“You gave us hope. You gave us something to dream about. And in those shining moments of triumph, you have made all our kababayans extremely proud to be called Filipinos,” he added.
