Olympic medalists Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas to receive Tagaytay houses and lots from POC
Double gold medalist Carlos Yulo will receive additional prizes following his historic win at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Tuesday, Sept. 4 officially gifted the Yulo his two houses and lots in Tagaytay City.
“It’s now a tradition, first Hidilyn Diaz [Naranjo] deserved all the best for giving the country its first Olympic gold medal and now, it’s the turn of Caloy [Yulo], Nesthy and Aira to be feted with the same reward for their historic efforts,” said POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
Yulo, who brought home two historic golds in gymnastics, will receive two two-storey houses with gazebos situated on a 500-square meter lot appraised at around P15 million, as per POC secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan.
Meanwhile, bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas will each receive brand-new bungalows built on their respective 200-square-meter lots. This marks Petecio’s second home in Tagaytay City following the first one she got after winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Tolentino said that all awarded houses will be furnished with basic amenities.
“All the rewards and bonuses that go our medalists’ way are well-deserved, it’s not easy to medal in the Olympics, it takes years, it takes focus, discipline and determination,” Tolentino continued.
“These athletes invested their lives into the sports they love and now, they’re reaping the fruits of their sacrifices.”
POC will be turning over the keys to the Olympic medalists in a ceremony fit for champions.
“The POC doesn’t think twice about these rewards, an Olympic medal, regardless of color, is the most precious medal in sports,” Tolentino said.
Yulo is the second Filipino athlete to ever win a gold medal at the Olympics after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He has received prizes and incentives from numerous private companies and government offices, including the P14 million cash prize from the House of Representatives, a fully-furnished bedroom in McKinley Hill worth P32 million, and several lifetime perks from food establishments and services.