The local government of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur has turned over P850,000 cash incentive to 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist Nesthy Petecio when she returned home to a ‘hero’s welcome’ on Thursday, August 22, 2024.  

Of the said amount, P250,000 came from the local government while the rest were accumulated from the money given by the employees and other town and barangay officials. 

The cash incentive is their way of thanking the Davaoeña boxer for the honor she brought to the town.  

Nesthy received a warm welcome during the motorcade organized by the local government. Sta. Cruz Mayor Jose Nelson Sala Sr. even drove the car Nesthy was riding.  

“Bisan gamay ra atong gihatag, gikan tonsa kasing kasing. Ikumparanimo sa uban, by million, pero kwarta to sa munisipyo, kwarta sasyudad. Ang ato diri, gikan gyud sa iyahang kababayan ni Nesthy, mga trabahante,” Sala said.  

Nesthy said she is proud to be a resident of Sta. Cruz and expressed her gratitude for the support she received from her fellow Davaoeños.  

“Na-overwhelm ko sa inyong pagdawat sa akoa, sa ikaduha nakonga medal karon, sa suporta nga inyong gihatag karon. Sabayi ko ninyo sa LA Olympics kay gusto gyud nako makuha ang gold. Mao gyud na ang akong pangarap. Wala pa nahuman akong misyonbilang isang atleta,” she said.  

She also recognized her family for the strength and inspiration, especially her father who discovered her potential and trained her.  

“Akong pamilya, kitang tanan dili jud nato kalimtan kung asa ta naggikan, kung asa ta nagsugod. Gusto lang nako i-share sa inyohanga pangitaa ninyo ang best anchor sa inyong kinabuhi. Number 1 ang pamilya, si Lord,” Nesthy added.  

Nesthy lauded the plan of the local government to establish a sports center.  

“Excited kaayo ko nga muusbong ang Sta.Cruz, Davao del Sur sasports. Mao gyud na ang akong gustong mailhan ta dili lang satourist spots diri sa atoa, kundili sa sports,” Nesthy said.

Nesthy is set to return to Manila for other commitments and get a break with her family before she goes back to training for her next fights and for the 2028 LA Olympics.