LOOK: Supporters flock to Manila for PH Olympians' welcome parade
Crowds flocked the streets of Manila on Aug. 14 as Pinoy Olympic athletes greeted their supporters at the Heroes' Parade after the recently concluded Paris Olympics.
Dubbed the centennial team, the event was graced by double gold winner Carlos Yulo, and bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
Joining them on the float are Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, Elreen Ando, Kiyomi Watanabe, Samantha Catantan, Joanie Delgaco, Kayla Sanchez, Jarod Hatch, Hergie Bacyadan, and Carlo Paalam.
The seven-kilometer parade started at Aliw Theater in Pasay and ended at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila where they were greeted by hundreds of students and other supporters cheering at them.
Pinoys waiting for the Olympians' float were seen waving their Philippine flaglets while others put up handmade banners. Some even had funny remarks like asking for balato from his prizes.
One of the highlights of the parade was when Carlos' father, Mark Yulo, made an extra effort to be easily spotted in the crowd. He was seen being carried by other supporters, with a Philippine flag banner printed out with the words “Caloy, dito papa mo," and making a hand heart gesture to his son. Meanwhile, Carlos was also seen smiling at his father before doing a salute.
On his Facebook account, the two-time gold Olympic medalist expressed his gratitude to his father, saying that he was happy to see him in the crowd.
22 Pinoy athletes competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Philippines finished with two gold medals from Yulo, and one bronze medal each from Petecio and Villegas. They arrived in the Philippines on Aug. 13 and were given a heroes' welcome at Malacañang Palace by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the first family.
Other Filipino Olympians at the Paris games include pole-vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena, boxers Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacyadan, gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza, rower Joanie Delgaco, fencer Sam Catantan, golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina, swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, and hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino.