TACLOBAN CITY — Paris Olympics bronze medalist boxer Aira Villegas, together with the Palarong Pambansa medalists from Eastern Visayas, received incentives from the Tingog Partylist and the Office of the House Speaker during the Tribute to Local Athletes event held at the People's Center and Library on Friday.

For winning the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics and inspiring the youth in Leyte, Aira Villegas (center) was given a house and lot in Tacloban City on Aug. 23, 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Tingog Party-List Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez said that they will continue to give incentives to the athletes in the region since they have provided pride and inspiration to the people of Eastern Visayas.

"I think Aira Villegas has inspired young people, especially athletes, which is why we will continue to support you," Romualdez said."Go for the higher goals."

Villegas received a Mitsubishi Xpander worth P1.4 million and a house and lot in Palo, Leyte, worth P6 million.

For winning the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics and inspiring the youth in Leyte, Aira Villegas (center) was given a new car in Tacloban City on Aug. 23, 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Villegas won the bronze in women's boxing 50-kg category to join bronze medalist Nesthy Petecio and double gold medal winner Carlos Yulo as the only Filipinos to have won medals in the 2024 Olympics.

Her quest was cut short in the semifinals by Turkey's Buse Naz Cakiroglu, who advanced to the gold medal match via unanimous decision.

Villegas will spend some time with her family in Leyte before returning to Manila for several engagements and preliminary preparations for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

Meanwhile, the young athletes who won medals in the Palarong Pambansa held recently in Cebu each received P10,000 plus a bonus of P10,000 for gold, P8,000 for silver and P7,000 for bronze.

Their coaches also received cash incentives.

Eastern Visayas ranked seventh overall in the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, up from 14th place the previous year.

On Thursday, Petecio received a hero's welcome in her hometown of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Petecio showed a video of her homecoming motorcade, which went from Inawayan to Bato, and thanked her supporters who waited for her on the streets, as well as mayor Jose Nelson Sala.A short tribute program for the two-time Olympic boxer also was held at the town's new government center, and was attended by municipal officials and employees, as well as Petecio's family.

She was given a cash incentive of P800,000, a citation plaque, as well as a resolution of recognition by the town's Sangguniang Bayan.