One incredible incentive – a house and lot – will again be at stake for a gold medal won by a Filipino athlete in the Paris Olympics.
“If I gave houses and lots to the medalists in the Tokyo Olympics, why can’t and won’t do it again for Paris?” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said in Thursday’s official launching of the POC-Cignal TV partnership, “Isang Daang Taon Laban Para sa Bayan: Celebrating 100 Years of Filipino Excellence in the Olympics,” at Cignal’s Launchpad Building headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
Tolentino, in his capacity as both POC chief and mayor of Tagaytay City, rewarded houses and lots to the country’s medalists in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
That included gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo and boxing silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam.
But because of the windfall of medals – the most by any Philippine delegation in the quadrennial Games – Tolentino also gave boxer Eumir Felix Marcial his own house and lot for his bronze medal.
The compound where the three boxers’ homes are located in Tagaytay City is now aptly called Olympic Village.
“Our gold medalist, one or more, in Paris fully deserve this reward for their hard work, dedication, and love for sport and country,” said Tolentino, the first POC president ever to organize a month-long training camp for Olympic participation by any Philippine delegation.
Filipino athletes competing in Paris will have the privilege of a month-long training camp in La Moselle in Metz complete with training facilities for any sport, board, and lodging.
“Cignal TV has always believed in the skills and talent of the Filipino athlete and this partnership only reiterates our commitment to them. We want them to know that we’re with them every step of the way,” said Cignal TV and MediaQuest President & CEO Jane J. Basas.
“We’re honored to have Cignal TV be our gracious partner for the Paris-bound athletes and this early, we have high hopes of another memorable showing in the Olympics,” said Tolentino.
This isn’t just any other Olympics for the Philippines – this also marks 100 years of participation for the country in the quadrennial meet.
Runner David Nepomuceno was the first Filipino to qualify for the Olympics, participating in the 1924 Paris Games.
A century later, the country is banking on our proud representatives spearheaded by pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, weightlifter Vanessa Sarno, and boxers Eumir Marcial and Nesthy Petecio as Team Philippines once again tests itself with the best athletes in the globe.
From the build-up in their preparations and training, their respective campaigns, and the aftermath of their performance, Cignal TV will be there chronicling the journey of the Filipino athlete through our comprehensive news coverage.
Events will be aired and featured on the various MediaQuest platforms, primarily on Cignal TV platforms including Free-to-Air and Pay TV, and on digital and social media through One Sports, One News, and News5.
