Diaz, Petecio, Paalam, Marcial receive Medals of Excellence, cash incentives from Senate for Tokyo 2020 Olympics feat

Pinoy Olympians Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial, who brought home medals from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, received the newly-established Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence on Sept. 6 at the Senate session hall in Pasay City.

Olympic medalists Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial graciously receive the Medal of Excellence in front of Senators at the Senate session hall. / Photo courtesy of Eugene Herrera of Sen. Francis Tolentino's office

The four Olympians are the first recipients of such honor, which aims to “recognize, honor, and commend outstanding Filipinos for their exemplary service, outstanding achievements, and invaluable contributions to nation-building." The Senate Medal of Excellence will also be conferred on any Filipino who wins a Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, the A.M. Turing Award, and the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

In a press release published on the Senate website, this recognition is also "comparable to the Congressional Gold Medal of the United States Congress which is their highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions."

Hidilyn, Nesthy, Carlo, and Eumir, who came in traditional Filipino garb, also received cash donations from the upper chamber. Hidilyn received P1 million for her gold medal win, Nesthy and Carlo P500,000 for their silver medal finish, and Eumir P400,000 for his bronze medal.

Photos courtesy of Eugene Herrera of Sen. Francis Tolentino's office

To honor their history-making achievements, the Senate also adopted four separate resolutions commending the Pinoy Olympic medalists and the rest of the Philippine delegation for their valiant stand to represent the country in the quadrennial international multi-sport event.

The Medal of Excellence was just the cherry on top of the icing for the bemedalled Pinoy athletes.

In the months following her big win, Hidilyn Diaz has received a string of huge rewards from the public and private sectors, including the P14 million condo in Eastwood, the 2-story home in Tagaytay City from the Philippine Olympic Committee, two chicken rotisserie business from San Miguel, and two vehicles.

Boxers Nesthy, Carlo, and Eumir, were also given properties in Tagaytay and cash incentives.

Take a look back at Hidilyn's gold-winning moments at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics here:

Check out the time Hidilyn, Nesthy, Carlo, and Eumir saw their Tagaytay properties for the first time, HERE: