For the second time since the 2019 SEA Games held in the country, the local government gave incentives to winning Valenzuelano Athletes who took home medals from the recent 31^st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. The awarding was held during the opening ceremony of WES Olympics at the WES Arena on Sunday, June 5.

Leading the gold medal hoard are Fernando Casares of Barangay Wawang Pulo for Individual Men’s Triathlon, and Daneries James “Wise” Del Rosario of Barangay Coloong and Salic “Hadji” Imam of Barangay Paso de Blas, both for Esports. Silver medals offerings came from Baby Jessica Canabal of Barangay Gen. T. De Leon for Taekwondo Women’s Kyorugi; 54kg Category, Noelito Jose, Jr. of Barangay Dalandanan for Fencing Men’s Epee Individual Event and John Michael Pasco of Barangay Lawang Bato for Men’s Beach Handball. Bringing home the bronze medal is Marjorie Denise Manguiat of Barangay Dalandanan for Women’s 4x100 Meters Relay Fin Swimming.

Pursuant to the City Ordinance No. 1010 Series of 2022, or the “SEA Games Incentives for Valenzuelano Winners”, winning athletes shall receive the following:

            Bronze Medalist: Php 50,000

            Silver Medalist: Php 75,000

            Gold Medalist: Php 100,000

During the opening ceremony of the WES Olympics, Mayor-elect Deputy Speaker WES Gatchalian commended the medalists for bringing honor and pride not only to Valenzuela but to the whole country, “Para sa ating nagwaging atleta, malaking karangalan po ang inyong ipinamalas na galing at talento. Congratulations to all the Valenzuelano SEA Games winners!” (“For our winning athletes, it is a great honor that you have displayed your skills and talent. Congratulations to all the Valenzuelano SEA Games winners!”)

In his message, Congressman-elect Mayor REX said, “Itong pitong Valezuelano ay nag-uwi ng mga medalya para sa ating lungsod. Actually, marami sa kanila returnee na. Nawa’y maging inspirasyon silang lahat.” (“These seven Valenzuelanos brought home medals for our City. Actually, many of them are returnees. May all of them be an inspiration to all.”)

The Valenzuelano SEA Games medalists, Tokyo 2020 Olympics bronze and SEA Games gold medalist Eumir Marcial in the Torch Relay to light the cauldron to formally open the WES Olympics.

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