Marcos to fete Asiad heroes

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will honor the triumph of the country's medal winners in the 19th Asian Games in an elaborative ceremony at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, Wednesday afternoon.

Dubbed as Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino, the grand heroes' welcome will feature video presentations and production numbers to highlight the stories and great service of our national athletes and their coaches.

His Excellency will also take part in the awarding of the Presidential citation and other incentives.

"This celebration is a testament to the national government's unwavering support to each of our national athletes. We thank the President for personally coming over here at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum to honor our medalist, their coaches and their families," PSC chairman Richard "Dickie" Bachmann.

Team Philippines brought home four gold, two silver and 12 bronze medals during the two-week continental sports spectacle from 23 September to 8 October, where EJ Obiena won the gold in pole vault, while qualifying to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez reigned supreme in jiu-jitsu, and Gilas Pilipinas ended 62 years of championship drought in men's basketball in the Asiad.

Also to be honored are silver medalists' Eumir Felix Marcial of boxing and Arnel Mandal of wushu, together with bronze medalists' Patrick King Perez of taekwondo, Jones Inso, Gideon Padua and Clemente Tabugara Jr. of wushu, Alex Eala and Francis Alcantara of tennis, Patrick Coo of cycling, Elreen Ando of weightlifting, Kaila Napolis of jiu-jitsu, Sakura Alforte of karate, and the men's sepak takraw team.

Heading the Gilas Pilipinas team in the event are Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, Philippine Basketball Association chairman Ricky Vargas, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales and SMC sports director and Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua, the Gilas team manager.

Also expected to be in attendance in the affair are SBP chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan, chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., and Ramon Ang, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation.

Welcoming the President's entourage, and the athletes and their families, are officials of the PSC, and the Philippine Olympic Committee, under president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.

Concluding the event is the presentation of the Asian Games 2023 souvenir and the official Molten FIBA basketball to the President.