CITY OF MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will present presidential citations and cash incentives to the 33 Filipino athletes who secured medals at the 2023 Asian Games.
According to a new release by the Philippines News Agency PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil announced in a statement that the awarding ceremony, officially called 'Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat Para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino,' is set to take place Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The ceremony aims to honor the athletes for their sacrifices and achievements, recognizing them as modern-day heroes who bring pride and joy to Filipinos. The medalists will attend the ceremony along with their families.
The athletes are set to receive presidential citations in acknowledgement of their demonstrated excellence in their respective sports during the recently concluded 2023 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. The citations aim to enhance national interest and awareness in sports among the youth and aspiring athletes.
In addition to PHP19.1 million worth of cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), an extra PHP22.8 million will be distributed from the Office of the President (OP), Garafil stated. She also highlighted that the performance of the Philippine team in the 2023 Asian Games serves as evidence of the world-class capabilities of Filipinos in the international sports arena. The government intends to continue its support for athletes in future international events, she added.
The ceremony will feature student performers from various educational institutions across Metro Manila, as well as performances by Konsyerto sa Palasyo artists and musicians. The event is co-hosted by the OP and the PCO.
The Philippines concluded its participation in the 2023 Asian Games with a total of four gold medals, two silvers, and 12 bronzes, finishing 17th. This represents the country's highest ranking since it placed 14th overall in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan.