PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday congratulated boxer Nesthy Petecio for winning the bronze medal for the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Congratulations, Nesthy! Thank you for bringing home the bronze medal for the Philippines. You’ve truly shown the world how Filipinos never back down from a challenge. The whole country is proud of you! Taas kamao, para sa boksingerong Pilipino,” the President said in his social media accounts.
First Lady Liza Marcos also extended her accolades to Petencio, saying: “Another Filipina has punched her way to an Olympic medal – a proud moment for all of us! Thank you for giving a good fight, Nesthy! You are truly a Filipino boxing champ in our hearts.”
Petencio, who bagged a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, settled for the bronze this time after a controversial defeat to Poland’s Julia Szeremeta.
Her bronze medal was the country’s fourth medal in Paris. The third, also a bronze, was won by boxer Aira Villegas last Wednesday while the first two were gold medals courtesy of gymnast Carlos Yulo.
Senate president pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, moved to confer Petecio with her second Senate Medal of Excellence.
In filing Senate Resolution No. 1122, Estrada said Petecio deserves a second Medal of Excellence as the upper chamber’s highest expression of national appreciation for the latest honor she has given to the country. Petecio got her first Senate Medal of Excellence when she won a silver medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
“Petecio embodied relentless pursuit of excellence with her mantra ‘walang hinto hangga’t walang ginto, (no stopping without the gold)’ and many years of hard work and intense training since taking up the sport competitively in 2007,” Estrada said.
He said Petecio has etched her mark in the country for being the first Filipina boxer to win an Olympic medal in the male-dominated sport, the others coming from the Olympic successes of Jose Villanueva in 1932, Anthony Villanueva in 1964, Leopoldo Serantes in 1988, Roel Velasco in 1992 and Mansueto Velasco Jr. in 1996.
“The two-time Olympic medalist has proven herself as a world-class athlete as she has consistently brought pride to the country with her strong performances in the ring,” Estrada said.
Petecio won the women’s world championship in 2019 and is also a three-time Asian championship medalist and two-time Southeast Asian Games champion.
Her bronze medal win put her in the elite roster of Filipino athletes with two Olympic medals, the others being Yulo (gymnastics, 2024), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting, 2016 and 2020), and Teofilo Yldefonso (swimming, 1928 and 1932).
Estrada said Villegas also deserves a Medal of Excellence for winning a bronze medal in Paris.
“Villegas exemplifies the Filipinos’ grit, tenacity, and unyielding spirit in conquering formidable foes and adversities. Her glorious victory proves that the Philippines continues to be a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with in boxing,” Estrada said.
Estrada had earlier filed two Senate resolutions seeking to confer the Medal of Excellence to Yulo for his extraordinary feat in Paris.
Other senators also filed separate resolutions to confer the Senate’s Medal of Excellence to all the medalists in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Philippine Coast Guard said it will promote Petecio, a member of the PCG, to the next higher rank in recognition of her feat in Paris.
“It’s a very inspiring achievement for the youth,” PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said. “The Coast Guard will promote her to the next higher rank when she returns.”
Petecio was enlisted into the PCG service in 2021 with the rank of Petty Officer Third Class and was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class later.
With her looming promotion, Petecio will become a Petty Officer First Class.
The Coast Guard Special Service Office (CGSSO), where Petecio is assigned, congratulated he for bagging a bronze. — With Raymond Africa and Victor Reyes
