CEBU CITY – Olympic weightlifters Elreen Ann Ando and John Febuar Ceniza received a rousing welcome in their return to their alma mater – the University of Cebu (UC) – here on Thursday, August 29.

The school gave Ando and Ceniza a hero’s welcome as well as two other students who excelled in their licensure examinations.

JOHN Febuar Ceniza (third from left) and Elreen Ann Ando (fifth from left) receive plaques of recognition from University of Cebu President Candice Gotianuy (fourth from right) during a homecoming ceremony at the UC Main Campus in Cebu City on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Also in the photo are (from left) UC athletic director Jessica Honoridez, coach Christopher Borreros, Roshen Novian Mapang, John Philip Minancillo, UC product and Cebu City acting Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros, and coach Ramon Solis. (Calvin D. Cordova)

“Never in my wildest dream would I see myself standing before two Olympians and two board topnotchers,” said UC President Candice Goatianuy.

Students who gathered at the quadrangle of the university’s main campus roared when Gotianuy announced that Ando and Ceniza will receive P200,000 each as cash incentives for making it to the Paris Olympics.

Sharing the limelight with Ando and Ceniza, both Cebuanos, were schoolmates John Philip Minancillo and Roshen Novian Mapang, who aced their licensure examinations.

Cheers grew louder when Gotianuy announced that Minancillo will receive a brand new BYD electric car.

Minancillo ranked No. 1 in the recent mechanical engineering licensure examination while Mapang placed fourth in the licensure examination for criminologists.

As Minanciallo still has no driver’s license, the brand-new car for him is convertible to P500,000 cash, Gotianuy said.

“This is indeed getting to be a habit,” said Gotianuy, referring to the university’s feat of producing top-caliber athletes and board topnotchers.

Christopher Borreros and Ramon Solis, the coaches of Ando and Ceniza, received P200,000 each.

“The support of UC played a key role in our journey to becoming Olympians. Our achievements would not have been possible without the support of UC,” said Ando.

Ando and Ceniza thanked the UC for their reward even if they failed to win a medal in the Olympics.

“That’s the best thing with UC. Win or lose, they will really support you,” said Ando, who disclosed that she will use the cash incentive to build her own house.

Ceniza said he will use the cash incentive to start a small business.

Jessica Honoridez, athletic director of UC, said the university will continue to support Ando and Ceniza as they prepare for qualifying tournaments for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Honoridez was part of the contingent from UC who flew all the way to Paris to support Ando and Ceniza.

“From the needed vitamins to other crucial support, UC has been there for these two Olympians,” said Honoridez.

Borreros disclosed that there are eight UC student-athletes who are part of the Philippine national weightlifting team.

It is highly likely that UC will have more representatives for the 2028 Olympics, Borreros said.

Ando, a two-time Olympian, and Ceniza will take a short break before plunging back to action.

“It is free to dream big so why not dream for a medal in the LA Olympics? Regardless of the color, my goal is to win a medal in the LA Olympics,” said Ando, who finished sixth in the women's 59-kilogram event of the Paris Olympics.