CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH of Senator Joel Villanueva for the first awardees of the Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence
Mr. President and distinguished colleagues:
Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon mula taong 1916 o sa loob ng isandaan at limang taong pag-iral ng Senado ng Republika ng Pilipinas, ipagkakaloob ng ating dakilang institusyon ang Katibayan ng Kagalingan sa mga Katangi-tanging Pilipinong kasama at kapiling natin ngayong araw.
Mr. President, with extreme joy and honor, and I have to spread this into the records that I am starstruck, not only as former athlete representing the Philippines, but as a Filipino, I am starstruck to be here with our heroes and this representation manifests his full support to the Resolutions awarding the first ever Philippine Senate Medals of Excellence to Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, and Carlo Paalam for their outstanding performances in the recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Mr. President, theirs is the story of the Filipino strength and courage. They are the heroes that made the light shine through the darkness of the pandemic.
MS HIDILYN DIAZ created history as the first Filipino to bring home the Olympic Gold Medal for the country, the first in 97 years since the Philippines’ debut in the Olympics.
Through her immense efforts, prayers, and faith, strong faith, Mr. President, she conquered the Women’s final in 55kg Weightlifting competition last July 26, 2021 at the Tokyo International Forum. She rewrote the Olympic history with her record of 127 kg Clean and Jerk lift, and together with her 97 kg Snatch Lift, she seized the gold with 224 kg total score.
Gaya ni Senator Zubiri, minalat din po tayo kasisigaw at kaka-cheer sa ating kampyeonato, sa ating mga medalists.
Ginoong Pangulo, may isang buwan na po ang nakararaan nang ma-interview natin si Hidilyn. At damang-dama ko po kung paanong pinag-alab ng kanyang mga salita ang puso ko na tila po ba kaya ko na ring bumuhat ng ilang daang kilong bigat ng mga pagsubok sa buhay. Ganyan daw po ang tunay na bayani, nakapupukaw ang bawat nilang salita at gawa!
Another athlete who landed her fists on the Olympic podium, NESTHY PETECIO became the first Filipina to win an Olympic boxing medal when she competed her way, fist by fist, through the Olympic Silver Medal in the Women’s Featherweight Boxing Final Bout last August 3, 2021 at the Kokugikan Arena. Saludo po tayo sa kanya at ipinagmamalaki natin siya.
Adding an Olympic medal to the Philippine team is my fraternity brother, brod po namin ni Senator Ralph, si EUMIR MARCIAL, who wrapped up his campaign by winning the Olympic Bronze Medal in the Men’s Middleweight Boxing Division last August 5, 2021 also at the Kokugikan Arena.
"As a Filipino, I am starstruck to be here with our heroes and this representation manifests his full support to the Resolutions awarding the first ever Philippine Senate Medals of Excellence to Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, and Carlo Paalam for their outstanding performances in the recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics."
Concluding the best Olympics performance of our country is CARLO PAALAM, who secured the Philippines’ second Olympic Silver Medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the Men’s Flyweight Boxing Division last August 7, 2021 at the Kokugikan Arena.
Hindi po ba’t tuwing sumusuntok sina Nesthy, Eumir at Carlo, nagngangalit din ang mga ugat natin sa braso, kasabay ng pagkuyom ng ating mga kamao na tila baga gusto na rin nating sumabak sa laban. Ganyan daw po ang mga tunay na bayani, nakahahawa ang kanilang determinasyon!
Because of their exemplary performance in their respective sports, the Philippine team took home one gold, two silver, and one bronze, making the Philippines the top performing and the “winningest” Southeast Asian country in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics..
The Bible says, “Give honor to whom honor is due,” and that is why we also commend our president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, nabanggit ni Senator Lacson na the better Tolentino. Mahirap po um-agree o disagree dahil may binigay sa akin si Senator Tolentino, pero talagang winningest president ng Philippine Olympic Committee, binabati po natin siya at ang buong executive board ng POC.
Kaya’t natatangi at makasaysayan ang araw na ito dahil ang mga kauna-unahang Pilipinong pararangalan ng Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence ay mga kabataang atleta. Mga kabataang atletang nagpamalas ng disiplina, determinasyon, sipag, takot sa Diyos, at pagmamahal, pagmamahal sa ating bayan.
Mr. President, these athletes have the heart of a warrior—strong and unwavering; and within these hearts mark a vestige of love for our country, the people, and God.
Their solid performances in the Tokyo Olympics embodied the firm aspiration of every Filipino—to knock down challenges and lift the Philippines to a greater height of honor and prestige.
As the first set of awardees of the prestigious Senate Medal of Excellence, Hidilyn, Nesthy, Eumir and Carlo etched their marks not only in Philippine History, but more so in the hearts of 110 million Filipinos!
Ginoong Pangulo at mga kasama, ang tagumpay ng ating mga atleta ay ‘di rin nalalayo sa paniniwala natin noon pa man sa TESDA: Kapag sapat at de-kalidad ang training, malayo ang mararating ng Pilipino. At kapag ang isang Pilipino ay nagsumikap nang husto, kaya niyang manalo, at abot-kamay ang masayang pagbabago.
Congratulations to all of you and cheers to many more competitions, more brave steps, and more inspiring victories!
Muli saludo po kami sa inyong lahat, pagpalain tayo ng ating Panginoong Diyos, at mabuhay ang bansang Pilipinas!