PRE-OLYMPICS. Carlo Paalam (left) and Eumir Marcial distribute equipment and cash aid to children and teenage boxers in Cagayan de Oro City in this October 2018 photo. Three years later, the two Mindanao natives gave the Philippines silver and bronze, respectively, at the Tokyo Olympics. (PNA file photo by Nef Luczon)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The local business community here is readying freebies and perks for its hometown hero, Tokyo Olympics 2020 silver medalist Carlo Paalam.
The 23-year-old Paalam, born in Talakag, Bukidnon but grew up in the city, will receive a complete set of a personal computer from Hube Computers.
The store will also give free mousepads for those who are named Carl, Carlo, Karlo, Karla, or Carla.
Local restaurant Missy Bon Bon will give PHP50,000 worth of meals to the boxer, to be extended by its four affiliate restaurants in the city.
Paalam will also get PHP15,000 worth of photography package courtesy of Armand Ansaldo Photography.
"I’ll shoot, you jab! We are offering you PHP15,000 worth of our studio portrait services at Armand Ansaldo Photography. Thank you for making the Northern Mindanaoans proud!" owner Armand Ansaldo said in a Facebook post on Saturday, minutes after Paalam snared the silver medal.
A 65-inch flatscreen television courtesy of Desmark Corporation likewise awaits Paalam.
Despite losing to Great Britain's Galal Yafai via points in the flyweight finals, Paalam told Filipino reporters in Tokyo that he could not believe he got a silver medal right on his first Olympic stint.
Jocelyn, Carlo's mother, said in a television interview she is thankful to all Filipinos who supported her son.
"I did not watch. I kept my distance but every time they (housemates) would shout, I also felt the punches in my chest," she said in Filipino.
Mayor Oscar Moreno is confident that after the Tokyo experience, Paalam and his long-time coach, Elmer Pamisa, have gained enough experience to succeed more in the future.
"What Carlo has done, he has opened doors for future Olympians," Moreno said in a statement. (PNA)
