Former triathlon champion and Air Force reservist Nikko Huelgas (Photo courtesy of Chooks-to-Go)
MANILA – Nikko Huelgas, one of the pillars of the Philippine triathlon's modern-day success, has been given the honor by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for his efforts at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic last year.
On Monday, PAF gave Huelgas, a two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, a military merit medal.
Huelgas spearheaded relief operations to people whose lives were altered significantly by the pandemic in the provinces of Tarlac, Bulacan, Albay, and Tingloy Island in Batangas.
"We had some rough days in 2020 when we'd wake up early and arrive home late from our relief operations, bringing our goods to hard to reach areas and the poorest of the poor," recalled Huelgas, a PAF reservist with the rank of sergeant. "When the world wanted us to stay home and safe, we were out there to help the best way we could."
He then said that the operations would not be possible without the help of PAF's main command, the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon (TOWNOL), the Philippine Army, and Chooks-to-Go.
"A big thank you to Brig. Gen. Aries Gonzales of the Philippine Air Force, Maj. Jacqueline Jimenez of TOWNOL, and the rest of the units both from the Army and Air Force that we've worked with in fighting the enemy, Covid. I would also like to thank Chooks-to-Go for always supporting me in my drives," Huelgas said.
After retiring from the national team in 2018, Huelgas, currently the chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee's Athletes Commission, entered PAF's reserve command and has been training there since. (PNA)
