Huelgas receives military merit medal for service amid COVID-19 pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Winning medals isn’t new to Nikko Huelgas, but his latest stands out among the rest.

The decorated triathlete was recently bestowed with a military merit medal from the Philippine Air Force.

Huelgas was recognized for his relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

“No words can describe how I’m truly honored to receive a #MilitaryMeritMedal from the @philippine_air_force,” he wrote on Instagram.

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The 29-year-old Huelgas, a two-time SEA Games gold medalist, gave a helping hand to affected communities in various parts of the country.

“Those rough days in 2020 when we’d wake up early and arrive home late from our relief ops bringing our goods to hard to reach areas and the poorest of the poor from up north of Tarlac, Bulacan and down south to Tingloy Island and even to Albay,” said Huelgas, who holds the rank of sergeant.

“When the world wanted us to stay home and safe, we were out there to help the best way we could.”