QC Mayor Joy Belmonte reacts after netizens notice Olympic swimmer Erica Sullivan looks just like her

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte reacted after netizens noticed her resemblance with American swimmer Erica Sullivan who won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"I am thrilled by the fun and light comments on my facial resemblance to Tokyo Olympic women’s 1500-meter freestyle silver medalist Erica Sullivan of the US swimming team," she told GMA News Online.

Mayor Joy said "it is a glorious compliment to have been physically likened to her, even jokingly in several memes."

"Not only has she brought honor to her beloved country through her victory, but I also learned that she proudly identifies herself as an asian-american and a member of the LGBTQI+ community," she added. "She personifies inclusivity and diversity, two values I espouse and embrace."

The Quezon City mayor said it was indeed "a refreshing trending post."

"Sa kabila ng mabigat na sitwasyon natin ngayon, nakakatuwa ang simple at positibong usapan tulad nito. Talagang pampa-good vibes," she added.

A photo of the Japanese-American swimmer, who won silver in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was posted by world governing body for Aquatic sports FINA (FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE NATATION) on their Facebook page.

Down in the comments section, several people from the Philippines remarked how Erica bared a supposed likeness to Belmonte.

While some tagged their friends and jokingly offered their congratulations to the Filipino politician, several Pinoys also reminded fellow netizens to pay respects and congratulate Sullivan on her excellent achievement.

“On behalf of all the Filipinos commenting and mentioning the Quezon City Mayor of the Philippines, we just want to congratulate Erica Sullivan for winning a silver medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” one netizen wrote.

Sullivan’s photo has been shared more than 19,000 times and garnered more than 18,000 reactions as of this writing. — JAB, GMA News