We warmly welcome Ambassador Endo Kazuya, as well as Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, and the rest of the Team Philippines to the Senate. Thank you for accepting our invitation and honoring the Senate of the Philippines with your presence.
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris holds special significance as it marks the centennial of Filipino athletes’ participation in the Olympic Games—beginning in 1924, also held in Paris, France, when we proudly became the first representatives from Southeast Asia. How fitting it is that one hundred years later, we celebrate not just a milestone, but an extraordinary and historic achievement—the Philippines brought home two gold and two bronze medals! We also witnessed the stunning performance of our athletes in the Men’s Pole Vault and Women’s Golf Individual events, very narrowly missing a podium finish but, nonetheless, deserving of as much recognition and gratitude from the Filipino people.
In the 18th Congress, the Senate adopted Resolution No. 110 or the Resolution Establishing the Senate Medal of Excellence, the original Resolution having been filed by our Majority Leader, Senator Tolentino.
The Senate Medal of Excellence is automatically bestowed and conferred on deserving Filipinos, such as Olympic medalists, for setting the “highest standards of excellence, nationalism, and virtue that their fellow countrymen can aspire for. It is an expression of gratitude on behalf of the nation for the honor that such outstanding and distinguished achievements have brought to the country.”
We may be a country divided on many issues but with this feat, we can be united in our collective celebration of our valiant athletes’ victory and stellar performances. Thank you for bringing so much hope and light to the country.
With immense pride, the Filipino people commend you for etching the Philippine flag in the annals of history on the grandest stage of sports. Your success has not only brought honor to our nation but has also cemented the Philippines’s position as the top-performing Southeast Asian country since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
From all of us Senators present and the entire Filipino nation, we salute you for your dedication, sacrifice, and stunning triumph. Mabuhay ang Team Philippines! Mabuhay ang Atletang Pinoy!