Filipino Olympians, who were not present during the heroes' welcome for the Paris Olympians last week, finally get their own reception from Malacañang.
Four of the five national athletes, who were not able to join the 17 other Filipino Olympians last Aug. 13, were welcomed at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 22.
Golfer Dottie Ardina, gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar were present at the "meet and greet" arranged by the Palace.
Golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, who placed fourth at the Paris Games, was also invited by Malacañang but she was not able to attend.
In meeting the remaining athletes, who were yet to be given a reception and recognition from the Palace, Marcos said he was happy that the same welcome and appreciation were conferred to them.
Similar to the heroes' welcome given to the Olympians last week, the gymnasts and golfer Olympians had the opportunity to exchange conversation with Marcos at the President’s Hall inside the Malacañan Palace.
"We're happy we are able to do something extra good for those that did not make it to the first one," Marcos told reporters after presenting the recognitions and rewards to the four Olympians.
'There was a mix up'
Marcos revealed that there was a "mix up" when the Palace invited the Olympians for a heroes' welcome on Aug. 13, causing them to miss the events intended for the athletes last week.
He further bared that when the invitation was given out, the remaining Olympians could no longer make it as they were already traveling at that time.
He added that he arranged a separate reception for the remaining Olympians because he believes that the same reception and recognition must be given to them for the honor and pride they have given the nation.
"Baka nagtataka kayo bakit meron kaming extra event after dumating na yung ibang Olympians, ay dahil noong dahil nagpa-reception kami rito, wala sila, nagbabyahe. At nagka-mix up, huli na yung pagkakasabi sa kanila, hindi na sila nakauwi (You must be wondering why we have an extra event after the other Olympians arrived because when we did a reception here, they were still traveling. And there was a mix up, the notice was already given late, they were unable to come home)," Marcos explained.
"Kaya't sabi namin: e, pareho naman yung kanilang pinaghirapan so dapat isama rin natin doon sa lahat ng mga pagtanggap sa ating mga Olympian na ating ginawa (So we said: they also gone through the same difficulties, they must be included in all the reception that we did for the Olympians)," Marcos added.
The President only regrets that they were not able to join the grand parade for the athletes.
The meeting with the President came after one of the Filipino gymnasts, Ruivivar, bared that she was unable to join the 17 Olympians led by double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo because she was not informed about the event.
Meanwhile, during the meet and greet, a simple ceremony also took place to present Presidential Citation to the Olympians, and the checks for their cash incentives.
The Presidential Citation were awarded to the athletes in recognition of exemplary performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics for demonstrating the Olympic ideals of excellence, respect, and friendship, thereby giving honor and pride to the Filipino nation and for inspiring Filipino athletes to dream, aspire for, and achieve Olympic feats.
Like the 17 other Olympians, the five Filipina Olympians also received P1-million cash incentive from the Office of the President (OP) and another P1 million from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).