PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, at 74, endured over two hours of standing just to confer the Lapu-Lapu Kamagi medal to each of about 600 Filipino 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games medalists during the recognition and awarding of cash incentives at the Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace Wednesday evening, December 18.
As per Executive Order 35, the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kamagi Medal is awarded to government workers and private citizens who “actively participated in and contributed significantly to an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President”.
Duterte, in his speech, said, “I am deeply honored to be in the presence of our athletes who have emerged victorious in the recently concluded 30th Southeast Asian Games held in our country. Your triumph showcases the athleticism and sporting prowess of our people to our neighbors in Southeast Asia. Alam mo malaking bagay ito sa akin.”
He lauded the athletes for their sacrifices.
“The blood, sweat and tears that you have shed to earn this prestigious recognition is truly inspiring.
I am really very happy to no end,” the President said.
Duathlon mixed relay team bronze medalist Mary Pauline Fornea of Davao City, a SEA Games newbie, for her part, said: “President Duterte is all out in supporting the athletes po Maam. Pride daw po niya kami, it touched my heart po last night.”
Dabawenya Jenilou Mosqueda, women’s kurash silver medalist, said what struck her the most was finding an ally in the President.
“Nakaramdam kami ng kakampi kasi sabi nya hindi nya kami pababayaan. Very big difference sa previous administration who treated us mababa before,” the 38-year-old SEA Games veteran told Sun.Star Davao in a separate Facebook Messenger interview yesterday, December 19.
Mosqueda, whose injured left hand was plastered after a surgery following her recent SEA Games stint, shared that the President asked how she got the injury and from what branch of service she belonged as she greeted him with a salute on stage. She is an enlisted personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard.
Davao City’s Sydney Tancontian, women’s kurash bronze medalist, said she liked the part, “‘yung sabi niya po na this is his first time mapabilib sa mga athletes”.
Her younger brother Chino, a sambo gold medalist, appreciated Duterte’s patience to shake the hands of hundreds of athletes to personally congratulate them and award the Order of Lapu-Lapu medal.
Duterte said, “Through our distinct brand of Filipino resilience and determination to succeed, the diligence of our organizing committee officials and partners, technical teams and our athletes, we have ensured that we would host the SEA Games with aplomb. With 149 golds, 117 silvers and 121 bronzes for a total of 387 medals, the Philippines emerged as the overall champion of the Games.”
He then congratulated everyone who played an integral part in the country’s SEA Games success. “This outcome serves as a testament to the great things we can achieve when we work together,” the former mayor of Davao City said.
A total of P71 million cash incentives was awarded to the gold, silver and bronze medalists.
The President added, “This is an expression of the government’s full support for your continued growth and development. It also represents the overwhelming joy of a grateful nation. I am hopeful that this milestone lights the torch for our nation’s renaissance in athletic glory. I thus encourage everyone present to continue supporting our Filipino athletes who embody excellence, superiority and teamwork.”
He also urged the athletes to stay away from drugs as it would only mess their lives. Instead, he encouraged them to pursue excellence in their sports.
He also committed P100 million from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) for the training of athletes who will participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Also present during the recognition of SEA Games medalists were Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Miguel Zubiri, Francis Tolentino and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, members of the House of Representatives including Phisgoc chair Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; members of the Senate Committee on Sports; Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Board led by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, coaches and other sports officials.