CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
Senator Joel Villanueva | 14 August 2024
Commending the 22 Filipino Olympians in the Paris Olympics

Mr. President: As the author of Senate Resolution Nos. 1104 and 1105, we join all the members of this august chamber in congratulating and commending our 22 delegates to the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France. This will serve as our omnibus speech for all the Olympic resolutions to be adopted today.

Sabi po natin kahapon - this is our most successful run in our 100 years of participation in the Olympics - the world's biggest sporting event. Hindi po matatawaran ang kasiyahan at ngiting binigay sa atin ng ating mga bayaning atleta.

Sigurado po akong marami ring umiyak - tears of joy, ika nga - nang magwagi ang ating "golden boy" na si Carlos Yulo ng dalawang gintong medalya sa floor exercise at vault events ng Men's Artistic Gymnastics. Tunay na makasaysayang marinig natin ang ating Lupang Hinirang na pinatugtog sa Paris - magkasunod na araw pa! - habang ang buong mundo ay nakasubaybay.

Gayundin po nang masungkit nina Nesthy Petecio at Aira Villegas ng bronze medal sa boxing. Si Nesthy, kasama si Eumir, ay ating fellow 2022 People of the Year Awardees. Debut stint naman ito ni Aira sa Olympics. Ang buong bansa kasama niyong nagdiwang sa inyong pakikipagsapalaran.

Millions of Filipinos also tuned in to support:

• EJ Obiena, who finished 4th in the men's pole vault;

• Fellow Bulakenyo Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina, who ranked 4th and 13th respectively in the women's golf finals;

•  Our weightlifters, Elreen Ando, John Ceniza, and Vanessa Sarno;

• John Cabang and Lauren Hoffman who competed in the hurdle events;

• The rest of our boxers Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, and Hergie Bacyadan;

• Samantha Catantan, who represented us in fencing;

• Our women gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Ruivivar;

• Kiyomi Watanabe, who competed in judo;

•  Rower Joanie Delgaco, who is our first ever representative to qualify for the women's single sculls event; and

• Jarod Hatch and Kayla Sanchez who competed in the men's 100-meter butterfly and women's 100-meter freestyle, respectively.

Thank you to all of you who raised our flag high and represented the country on the world stage. Ipinakita niyong lahat sa buong mundo ang lakas, galing, at higit sa lahat - ang puso ng Pilipinong atleta.

Their feats are nothing short of spectacular. Ang kanilang pag-ukit ng ating bansa sakasaysayan ng Olympics ay "pasalubong" na kailanman, hindi natin makakalimutan.

At kung meron man tayong hiling - na ang tagumpay na ito ay magsilbing mitsa para sa mga atleta at sa milyun-milyong mga kabataan upang sila ay magpatuloy lang sa pagsisikap hanggang maabot nila ang kanilang mga pangarap. Sa bawat daang kanilang tatahakin, tayo po ay aalalay sa kanila.

Once again, with immense pride and joy, thank you and congratulations to all our Olympic heroes. We will forever remember and cherish your achievements.

Pagpalain kayo ng Diyos at maraming salamat sa karangalang ito para sa bansa.