Vice President Leni Robredo congratulated the Filipino athletes making history at the Tokyo Olympics, thanking them for inspiring and giving hope to the country amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Robredo, the Philippine opposition leader who is considering to run for president in 2022, posted a short Facebook video on Tuesday, August 3, to show her appreciation to each of the 19 Filipino Olympians competing in Tokyo, Japan. 

“Sa gitna ng matinding pagsubok na dala ng pandemya, salamat sa pag-asa at inspirasyon. Thank you for bringing us together, lalo na sa panahong ito. Buong bansa, isang pamilyang nae-excite, nagchi-cheer, at nagse-celebrate sa bawat laban ninyo,” the Vice President said.

(In the middle of great adversity brought about by the pandemic, thank you for giving us hope and inspiration. Thank you for bringing us together, especially during these times. The entire country is like one excited family cheering and celebrating your every fight.)

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Robredo cited each of the athletes by their first name and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.

She made a special mention of the four athletes who have secured podium finishes for the Philippines:

• Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, for clinching the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal
• Nesthy Petecio, who is the first Filipina boxer to take home an Olympic medal with her silver finish
• Boxer Carlo Paalam, who is now assured of a bronze medal after defeating Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan
• Boxer Eumir Marcial, who locked up another medal for the Philippines after a first-round knockout victory against Armenian Arman Darchinyan 

The Vice President also thanked gymnast Carlos Yulo for showing courage in the men’s vault final in the Tokyo Games. Yulo was just a fraction of a point away from winning a medal.

“Sa bawat laban ng Pilipino sa Olympics nitong mga nakaraang araw, naghahalo ang saya, kaba, pati ang gigil. Pero higit dito, araw-araw nangingibabaw sa atin ang pagiging proud. Today is no exception,” Robredo said. 

(There was a mix of happiness, anxiety, and excitement in every Filipino’s tournament in the Olympics these past days. But more than that, every day, we are proud of what you have achieved. Today is no exception.)

“Congratulations ulit sa inyong lahat. Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino! Laban Pilipinas!” added the Vice President.  

(Congratulations to all of you. All hail to the Filipino athletes! Fight, Philippines!)

Pledges have started to pour in for Olympic medalists Diaz and Petecio after their historic victories in the Tokyo Games. 

Diaz, who was Robredo’s special guest in her radio show on Sunday, August 1, is set to receive a total of P52.5 million in cash along with other pledges such us house and lots, lifetime free flights, and free food.

Petecio is slated to receive travel perks from Philippine Airlines and AirAsia. Real estate tycoon Andrew Tan also promised to give her a fully-furnished condominium unit in Davao City worth P10 million. – Rappler.com