DAVAO City's Paris Olympics 2024 bronze medalist Nesthy Petecio received the President's Award during the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night held at the Centennial Hall of the historic Manila Hotel on Monday, January 27, 2025.
In her acceptance speech, the 31-year-old Petecio expressed gratitude to the PSA for the recognition and acknowledged the unwavering support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, MVP Group, and the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap), led by chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas.
Petecio, a Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, also congratulated Paris Olympics double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, who was named PSA Athlete of the Year. "Caloy, super proud ako sa two golds mo, Pangarap ko rin yan. Alam kong makukuha ko yan someday (Caloy, I am super proud of your two golds. That's my dream too. I know I'll achieve it someday)."
Reflecting on her journey, Petecio acknowledged the former Filipino Olympians recognized during the event, saying, "Ito mga taong naghubog sa mga pangarap ko na maging Olympian (These are the people who shaped my dreams of becoming an Olympian)."
She credited Olympics boxing medalist Roel Velasco, her first coach when she joined the national boxing team at age 15 for instilling in her important values. "Sa kanya ko po natutunan ang STDDD - sipag, tyaga, disiplina, determinasyon, at dasal, na hangga't ngayon dala-dala ko pa rin po yan. Sa kanya galing yung `Walang hinto hangga't walang ginto (From him, I learned STDDD – hard work, perseverance, discipline, determination, and prayer – which I still carry with me to this day. He’s the one who said, `No stopping until there’s gold')."
Petecio also thanked coach Nolito Velasco, who guided her to win the silver medal in Tokyo, and her current coaches Mitchel Martinez and Rey Galido, who supported her during the Paris Olympics. "Ang mga Velasco brothers po talaga ang gumabay sa akin. At sa Paris naman, sina coach Mitchel at Galido (The Velasco brothers were truly the ones who guided me, and in Paris, it’s coaches Mitchel Martinez and Rey Galido who have been instrumental)."
In an interview shared on the PSA's Facebook page, Petecio added, "Sobrang blessed po at nakakatuwa na narecognize po ulit yung hirap na ginawa ko po sa ilang taon. Ito ulit nagbigay din po ulit ng karangalan sa Paris (I feel so blessed and happy that the hard work I put in for so many years has been recognized once again. This recognition brings honor to the country and to my journey in the Paris Olympics)."
The event also celebrated the country’s Olympians and Paralympians from 1964 onward, commemorating the Philippines’ 100th year of participation in the Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, who claimed the PSA Athlete of the Year award, underscored the collective nature of his victory: "Ang panalo ko ay panalo nating lahat (My victory is a victory for all of us)."
He further shared his gratitude, saying, "Nagpapasalamat din ako sa Panginoon sa lahat ng blessings and challenges na binigay niya sa buhay ko. Sa lahat ng paghihirap ko, lahat ng pagod, sobrang worth it talaga na nakamit ko ang tagumpay kasama ang mga mahal ko sa buhay (I also thank the Lord for all the blessings and challenges he has given me in my life. All the hardships and exhaustion were truly worth it as I achieved success alongside my loved ones)." MLSA