Nesthy on pledged rewards after silver win: I hope I actually get them
Second-placed Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio celebrates after the women’s feather (54-57kg) boxing final bout against Japan’s Sena Irie during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 3, 2021. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / POOL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–A growing list of rewards awaits Nesthy Petecio for winning the silver medal in the women’s featherweight boxing event of the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday.
But being the jester that she is, Petecio said she’d only believe the prizes once she’s gotten her hands on them.
“I’m being notified by my siblings and my friends. I just hope that I actually get them once I’m back in the Philippines,” she said with a hearty laugh during a chat with sports scribes in a special edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum later that day.
“I’m confident with the MVP Sports Foundation and the Philippine Sports Commission, but not so much outside those pledges, since there are some who promised me a home,” she went on.
Petecio missed out on delivering the Philippines’ second Olympic gold medal after losing to Japanese Sena Irie via unanimous decision.
The one on her neck, however, glitters like gold as her feat not only quenched Philippine boxing’s medal drought that has spanned for 25 years, it also typified Petecio’s coming out party.
“I’m proud to be part of the LGBTQ community,” she said shortly after the match. “This fight is for the community.”
Petecio’s triumph nets the Davao native at least P17 million in cash incentives. P5 million will come from the PSC by way of Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act, on top of another P5 million each from the MVPSF and San Miguel Corporation and the P2 million bonus promised by national athlete and Deputy House Speaker Mikee Romero.
Petecio, like gold weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, was also promised residential properties. The boxer is set to receive a posh condo unit in her hometown of Davao on top of a house and lot in Candelaria, Quezon.
“I really hope to get them. Or maybe just lay my eyes on wherever these houses may be. Perhaps smell them, right?” she said with a chuckle.
Asked about the cash windfall attached to her feat, Petecio, now 29, said she has yet to plan on how exactly she’s going to make use of it.
But she already has an idea in mind.
“It will definitely be for my family,” she said.
