Pinoy Olympic medalists grateful for blessings as they receive new cars, houses

Aside from achieving their dreams of becoming Olympic medalists, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial also fulfilled one of their goals in life—helping their families.

On Wednesday, Diaz and the boxers received new cars as part of their rewards for getting an Olympic medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Aside from a new car, Diaz also received the pledged house and lot in Tagaytay.

"Sobrang thankful ako siyempre, una kay God, thankful [din] ako sa lahat ng Pilipino, sa nagbigay ng unexpected blessing na ibinigay sa amin," the country's first Olympic gold medalist said in Saleema Refran's report on Saksi Wednesday.

("I am very grateful, first of all, to God. I am thankful as well to all Filipinos, and to those who gave us this unexpected blessing.")

The three boxers, meanwhile, will be neighbors in the "Olympic Lane," which is just near the barangay of Diaz' new house.

"'Yung dati, wala po kaming permanenteng bahay. Nakikitira lang kami sa ilalim ng trapal, puno ng rambutan," Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio recalled in the groundbreaking of their properties. "Ngayon po, masasabi kong, grabe, may sariling bahay na po kami ng pamilya ko."

("Before, we did not have a permanent home. We just lived under a tarpaulin or a tree. Now, I can say that we truly have our own house.")

Silver medalist Carlo Paalam is also thankful for the blessing.

"Sobrang saya po, iba talaga ang biyaya ng Panginoon," he said.

("I am very happy. The grace of the Lord is really different.")

Bronze medalist Eumir Marcial hopes the blessing they received will inspire other athletes.

"Parang panaginip lahat pero [nagka-]totoo," he said. "Sana sa ibang atleta, sana ma-inspire sila sa lahat ng blessing na tinanggap namin ngayon at sana sila rin balang araw," he said.

("It's like a dream, but it's true. I hope other athletes will be inspired with these blessings and I hope they will get these kinds of blessings eventually.")

Aside from the cars and house and lot, the Olympic medalists received cash rewards from different private entities. The government is also mandated to give cash rewards to the athletes, according to the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. The Office of the President also previously said it will also give its rewards to the Olympians.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News