PH Olympic gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo say they weren't invited to homecoming parade
Filipino Olympic gymnasts Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo were absent from the homecoming parade because they weren't informed about the event.
Social media users asked the two athletes about why they weren't at the reception at Malacañang Palace on Aug. 13 and the heroes' parade in Manila on Aug. 14.
"We weren't informed about it so we didn't make it," she said.
Aleah added that she "would've loved to join" the celebration that took place.
A fan also asked why Emma Malabuyo was unable to attend the Heroes’ Welcome to which she answered, "I wanted to go but they didn't tell me about it."
"I was looking for you in the parade," one user said. "I wish I was invited," Emma answered.
Recent TikToks show that Emma is currently in the Philippines while Aleah is en route, as of writing.
Aleah, Emma, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar are the first female gymnasts to represent the Philippines in the Olympics in six decades.
The gymnasts wrapped up their Paris 2024 performance with Finnegan ranked 47th, Malabuyo at 41st, and Jung-Ruivivar at 40th place on Women’s Artistic Gymnastics All-Around.
When the Filipino Olympians arrived in the country, they were welcomed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the First Family at the Malacañang Palace where each athlete was given P1 million.
Meanwhile, fellow gymnast Carlos Yulo was awarded P20 million and a Presidential Medal of Merit for winning two golds, while boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio, who achieved one bronze each, were given P2 million.
Olympians who were part of the events include Carlos, Aira, Nesthy, Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, Elreen Ando, Kiyomi Watanabe, Samantha Catantan, Joanie Delgaco, Kayla Sanchez, Jarod Hatch, John Ceniza, EJ Obiena, Vanessa Sarno, Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan, and Carlo Paalam.
22 Filipino athletes competed at the Paris Olympics. Golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina were also absent from the previous events along with the three gymnasts.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to the Philippine Olympic Committee and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines for comment.
