EDITORS DESK

What makes Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas so special?

While their sporting achievements transcend the qualities that embody a fine athlete, one's legacy is measured not by the mere numbers — the records, the best times, or the winning results.

It was not even about the color or the weight of the metal piece they proudly show off at the podium. Rather than serving its purpose as a token for greatness, it is an invaluable treasure that binds together the memories of one triumphant moment in life.

Anecdotes are surely aplenty about these Filipino warriors who served gallantly against the best of the best, but the names will soon be forgotten — in this age or so we could perhaps lose the memory of that splendid Paris victory.

But sure enough, Caloy, Nesthy, and Aira have all earned their place on the pedestal of sporting prominence. What counts is the trail they have forged through hard work, the big footsteps they will be leaving to create one singular path, and the pages of lessons for the next generations to chart to become the next breed of athletic superstars.

These are the reasons they were immortalized — and for these exact impelling forces they will be recognized by the Manila Bulletin in the Newsmakers of the Year Award on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025.

Sharing history in an equally renowned venue that is the iconic Manila Hotel, the triumvirate will be honored for their Olympics exploits and the impact they have created to the youth — especially the aspiring athletes.

Yulo the king gymnast became the first Filipino to win two gold medals in a single edition of the quadrennial meet after he topped the floor exercise and vault events in consecutive days.

It was the coronation of a young champion who hurdled past all sorts of challenges from his humble beginnings in Leveriza, Manila, to his once fruitful turned tumultuous years in Japan where his muscular frame got chiseled to its boldest and became the elite competitor that he is today.

Petecio, already adorned with a silver mint from her Tokyo stint a few years ago, is an image of resilience for her jovial demeanor that buries the traces of a difficult past pierced with hardships and poverty, with only boxing as her light to escape the dark chamber and emerge triumphant against the ordeals of her life.

In Paris, the pride of Davao del Sur won her second medal, this time a shining bronze to not only solidify her place as a true Olympic powerhouse but also become a certified millionaire — a reward for all the sacrifices she had to make in her decades of shedding blood, sweat, and tears.

Devastated by the wrath of Supertyphoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Villegas vowed to help her family navigate through the nightmare that destroyed their house and livelihood in 2013.

Using her allowance from being an amateur standout as a lifeline, Aira patiently waited for her big break, which was unwrapped in the most exquisite form in the French capital — a sparkling bronze medal in her first pursuit of Olympic glory last year.

These tales of struggles and stories of unimaginable success could genuinely define the strength of a Filipino spirit: molded by experience and driven by grit and vigor.

Caloy, Nesthy, and Aira carry the torch that provokes inspiration, with their victories shaping our nation's dreams to reach greater heights amid adversities. 

Truly deserving to be honored at the Newsmakers of the Year Award. Mabuhay!