President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will confer the presidential citation and grant cash incentives to 33 Filipino athletes who bagged medals in the 2023 Asian Games, Malacañang said Tuesday.

The presidential citation and cash bonuses would be given to the Filipino medalists during a grand welcome and awarding ceremony for them, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

The event, dubbed “Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat Para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino,” will be held Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in the City of Manila.

“The event is a special recognition by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to honor the sacrifices and celebrate the triumphs of our modern-day heroes who bring pride, honor, and joy to our fellow Filipinos,” Garafil said. “The Asian Games 2023 medalists will be accompanied by their respective families.”

Garafil said the 33 Filipino medalists will receive a presidential citation, “in recognition of their demonstrated excellence and achievements in their respective sports during the recently concluded 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, thereby increasing national interest and awareness of sports among the youth and other aspiring Filipino athletes.”

On top of the PHP19.1 million worth of cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), an additional cash reward amounting to PHP22.8 million from the Office of the President (OP) will also be granted to the medalists, Garafil said.

Garafil said the medals earned by the Philippine team during the 2023 Asian Games are a testament that “Filipinos in the international sports arena are truly world-class.”

“The government aims to continue supporting our athletes in many more international sporting events as we work together towards a Bagong Pilipinas,” she said.

Garafil said students from various schools, colleges, and universities in Metro Manila will participate in this musical celebration, with performances by the Konsyerto sa Palasyo artists and musicians.

The event will be hosted by the OP, in collaboration with the PCO.

The Philippines clinched four gold medals, two silvers and 12 bronzes, finishing 17th during the two-week continental tilt in Hangzhou, China.

This was the Philippines’ highest ranking since it placed 14th overall in 1994 in Hiroshima, Japan. (PNA)