Carlo Paalam speaks to the media on his return to his hometown in Cagayan de Oro. CDO CIO PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Carlo Paalam returned to where it all started as he went back to his hometown of Cagayan de Oro following his success in the Tokyo Olympics.
The 23-year-old boxer visited his hometown for the first time after capturing the silver medal in the men’s flyweight division of the Summer Games.
He went straight to a courtesy call with Mayor Oscar Moreno, a person who has been influential in the boxer’s life, and Vice Mayor Reinier Joaquin Uy.
Paalam received P2 million from the local government as well as a townhouse worth P3.6 million at Velmiro Uptown CDO in Barangay Canitoan.
Accompanying Paalam to his visit were his parents and coach Elmer Pamisa.
Paalam was one of four Philippine medalists in the Tokyo Games along with gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz and teammates Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, who took silver and bronze medals, respectively.