The distinctive achievements made by Filipino athletes led by gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz in the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics have prompted the government to institutionalize the grant of incentives and accolades to Filipino achievers in various fields. The Olympians received numerous gifts of cash and assets from the government and private business, but the Senate of the 18th Congress has another way of honoring these sports heroes, which to us is more appropriate and long-lasting.  And this gesture of gratitude is not only for our best athletes, but also for Filipino winners in other fields in the future. During the plenary session last Monday, the senators adopted Senate Resolution No. 781, which was recently pushed by Sen. FrancisTolentino, in a privilege speech that was delivered personally in the session hall.  The measure creates the Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence in order to "recognize, honor, and commend outstanding Filipinos for their exemplary service, outstanding achievements, and invaluable contributions to nation-building." Under the resolution, the medal will be given to Filipinos awarded with a Nobel Prize, a Pulitzer Prize, an A.M. Turing Award, a Ramon Magsaysay Award, or an Olympic medal. Sponsors Senators Tolentino, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sonny Angara wanted the Medal of Excellence to be a fitting symbol of Filipino determination, resolve and grit in attaining excellence in various fields, not just in sports.  Scientists, inventors, artists may be included in the list of future recipients of the award, Tolentino said. "The honor will be conferred on exceptional Filipinos both in the military and civilian sectors for setting the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and nationalism," said Tolentino, so that other Filipinos may emulate them and aspire for the same level of achievement in the international scene. Meanwhile, Senator Zubiri has started working with Sen. Franklin Drilon, minority floor leader, "on how we can craft the language so that we can place (it) in our rules," in an effort to institutionalize and make permanent the award, and future batches of senators would support it. When the cash prizes have been spent, when the incentives and perks have dissipated, the world-class athletes will still have the Senate Medal of Excellence to see them through during the hard times of training and sacrifices.  The same is true for Filipino achievers in other fields. It will serve as reminder to them to maintain their champion form and build on whatever accomplishments they have made today, as they continue to uphold the Filipinos' core values of excellence, integrity and patriotism.