Olympic golfer Ardina, gymnastics trio get own Malacañang heroes’ welcome

MANILA, Philippines – After missing out on the heroes’ welcome for Filipino Olympians, golfer Dottie Ardina and gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar finally had their own special reception at Malacañang Palace on Thursday, August 22.

The four athletes paid a courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and formally received their government incentives, just like in the August 13 welcome ceremony for Team Philippines.

“You might be wondering why we have…an extra event after the other Olympians arrived and we already had a reception here. But [the four athletes] were not here, they traveled [overseas] and there was a mix-up. They weren’t able to come home,” said Marcos in Filipino after the event. 

“So we said, since they also worked just as hard, we must also have a reception for our other Olympians.” 

Each athlete received a Presidential Citation and an incentive of P1 million from the Office of the President and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Presidential Communications Office said. 

“It’s unfortunate they weren’t able to join the parade, but at least they were able to do everything else,” said Marcos. “So, we’re happy we were able to do something extra for those that did not make it to the first one.”

Over a week ago, double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and 16 other Filipino Olympians returned to a grand welcome after a historic Paris Games campaign.

From a red-carpet arrival ceremony led by the Philippine Air Force Honor Guards at the Villamor Air Base, the Olympians were treated to a dinner reception at the Palace, where they also received their incentives. 

The Olympic delegation later attended a party hosted by Newport World Resorts, then gathered again the next day for a heroes’ parade around Manila. 

On Monday, August 19, Jung-Ruivivar posted on social media that she felt “really hurt” over being left out of the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” noting the three Filipino-American gymnasts were not informed of the heroes’ welcome. 

Ardina and fellow golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, meanwhile, were also overseas for training. 

The Office of the President rectified the situation, announcing on Wednesday, August 21, that it organized another heroes’ welcome. 

Pagdanganan, who narrowly missed an Olympic golf bronze, didn’t make it anew but was acknowledged during the program. – Rappler.com