Carlos Yulo (in red) waving to the crowd during the Heroes Parade on Aug 14 after Team Philippines’ arrived from the Paris Olympics. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
MANILA: Filipinos warmly welcomed Team Philippines back to home soil on Wednesday (Aug 14) with a Heroes Parade for the 2024 Paris Olympians along the streets of Manila and Pasay.
A day after its arrival on Tuesday, the Philippine delegation of athletes from France was welcomed by throngs of fans during the “Pagbibigay Dangal: A Heroes’ Welcome for the Philippines’ 2024 Paris Olympians” parade.
The Heroes Parade was bannered by Paris Olympics double gold medallist Carlos Yulo and bronze medallists Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.
Joining the Philippines’ trio of medallists in the Heroes Parade were Samantha Catantan, Joanie Delgaco, Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, Elreen Ando, along with swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch and Filipino sluggers Hergie Bacyadan and Carlo Paalam.
As the float emblazoned with the Olympic rings traversed the streets, fans lined the streets waving tiny Philippine flags and cheered on the Filipino Olympians, who gave the country its best finish in the Summer Games.
Yulo and the others also spent time signing shirts and other items that had been thrown into the float.
Some supporters came prepared, waving banners with witty slogans as the Filipino Olympians made their way to the final stop of the parade.
The parade officially started at 4:08pm at Aliw Theater in Pasay as the athletes made their way north along Manila’s streets. Roxas Boulevard was graced by the presence of the Olympians before they approached Padre Burgos, Finance Road and Taft Avenue.
The athletes then made their way to P. Quirino Avenue, Adriatico Street before finally ending the parade at Rizal Memorial Coliseum at 6:10pm where a grand programme awaited them. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
