A day after a 'Hero's Welcome' at his barangay in Cebu City, Allen Aldrin Castañeda, the coach of Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, was welcomed warmly at the City Hall and received P100,000 from Acting Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia

Aside from Garcia, also welcoming the Cebuano coach on August 27, 2024 were Acting Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros and Councilors Joel Garganera, Noel Wenceslao, Pastor Alcover, and Francis Esparis.

“Congratulations. We are very proud nga usa gyud ka Sugboanon ang coach sa double gold medalist sa gymnastics sa Paris Olympics ug taga-Hipodromo pa gyud,” Garcia was quoted in a report by the city’s public information office.

The report said the P100,000 came from the acting mayor’s own pocket.

“This is to show that we are very appreciative of your efforts noh. So, salamat kaayo sa imong pag-anhi ug pagduyog kanamo. Bisan gamay ra ning akong pahalipay apan kinasingkasing,” Garcia was quoted as saying.

Castañeda went to the City Hall with fellow Olympian, weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando, and PSC Sports Commissioner Edward Hayco.

On National Heroes Day, the “Golden Coach” was accorded a ‘Hero’s Welcome’ in Barangay Hipodromo, his birthplace in Cebu City.  

Castañeda brought pride to his neighborhood and to the entire nation after the historic double-gold medal haul achieved by Yulo in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. 

Yulo won two gold medals in the floor exercise and vault events in Paris.

Castañeda said he is overwhelmed by the support, respect, and adulation from Cebuanos and from the country, and has promised to bring out his best again, along with Yulo, in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.