P15-M Tagaytay home Yulo’s latest bonanza
Carlos Yulo looks at material rewards that keep coming as reasons why the first Filipino double Olympic gold medalist will try to become even better.
“Bonuses such as this new house from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will motivate me to push myself [harder],’’ said Yulo on Sunday after receiving the keys to his new two-storey home built on a 500 square meter (sq m) lot in Tagaytay’s Prime Peak Town House Subdivision from POC president Bambol Tolentino.
Also receiving newly-constructed houses and lots in Tagaytay City from the local Olympic body were Paris boxing bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
“They deserve these homes. They’re not only our Olympic heroes, all of them are national treasures,’’ said Tolentino, who made it a tradition to gift Olympic medalists with houses in cool Tagaytay, where he is also mayor.
Birthday gift as well
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo was the first to benefit from Tolentino’s generosity after capturing the first gold medal for the nation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Tokyo silver medalists Carlo Paalam, Petecio and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial were also awarded with homes.
Yulo’s house is reportedly worth P15 million, and it also serves as Tolentino’s belated birthday gift after the two-time world champion gymnast turned 25 last Feb. 16.
“This is what we’ve been doing since I became POC president—to keep the athletes inspired to win more medals for our country,’’ said Tolentino.
The property of Villegas, who seized a Paris bronze in the women’s light flyweight division, sits adjacent to Yulo’s and Villegas said she’ll occupy her new home during breaks from training in Baguio City.
Petecio’s second home was also built on a 200 sq m lot in the same village as Villegas and Yulo. The blessing of their houses was officiated by Fr. Eugenio Lopez.
