CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga(PIA) — Olympic boxer Hergie Bacyadan was showered with love by her fellow yKalingas as she returned to her home province following her stint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Bacyadan, Kalinga’s first Olympian, was treated to a hero’s welcome on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, and greeted by excited crowds of mostly students from private and public schools during the motorcade along the main thoroughfares of Bulanao, Tabuk City.
“Overwhelming. Nafeel ko nga talaga ti suporta ti kailyak,” the transgender female boxer from Taloctoc, Tanudan, said of the experience.
Bacyadan received P500,000 cash incentive and special recognition from the Kalinga provincial government during a formal program at the Kalinga Sports Center.
The Kalinga provincial board through Resolution No. 2024-222 commended Bacyadan for bringing honor and pride to Kalinga, hailing her as a beacon of inspiration for all young yKalingas and future generations of athletes seeking success in sports.
In her speech, Bacyadan turned emotional as she recounted the difficult journey to the Olympics, saying she had persevered to make her home province and village proud.
“Finally, eto na ‘yung pangarap ko, makakauwi na ako sa wakas sa Kalinga nang masaya at proud na proud sila sa akin,” Bacyadan said.
Governor James S. Edduba expressed optimism that young athletes in the province will be motivated to work hard for their dreams buoyed by Bacyadan’s remarkable feat.
“Sapay kuma ta umadadu dagiti kakailyan tayo, especially kadagituy uubing nga mangsurut idiay yapak mu,” Edduba said in a message.
“You are not just a hero to us; you are an inspiration. Itultuluy mu kuma ti panang-inspire mu kadagituy ubbing. We are very proud of you,” he added.
Before her Olympic journey as a member of the Philippine boxing team of five, Bacyadan has been winning medals for the country in martial arts, first in wushu then switched to vovinam, a Vietnamese martial arts form.
Bacyadan said she is training to fight in the 2024 Asian Kickboxing Championships in Cambodia in October. She also shared of plans of pursuing professional boxing in the future. **JDP/IOS-PIA Kalinga
