Carlo Paalam returned to where it all started as he went back to his hometown of Cagayan de Oro following his historic win at the Tokyo Olympics.
The 23-year-old boxer visited his hometown for the first time after capturing the silver medal in the men’s flyweight division of the Summer Games, and went to Italpinas Development Corp’s Primavera Sales Office where he received his newest condominium unit from the company.
“IDC is proud of Carlo’s achievement, we are grateful to him for bringing honor to Cagayan de Oro. The company has also been a believer in the city’s sports program, especially for the youth,” said Arch. Romolo V. Nati, IDC chairman & CEO.
“His success comes at a particularly significant point in Philippine’s history when we are facing a pandemic, his fellow Filipinos struggling to find hope; his win at the Olympics inspires the country to believe and cope with today’s difficulties,” he added.
Since 2018, IDC has been an immense supporter of Mayor Oscar Moreno’s Amateur Boxing Program where Carlo Paalam molded his boxing skills.
“Everything that is happening to me now is beyond my comprehension, I am beyond grateful to the Almighty for all the blessings that I am receiving. And to IDC, thank you for recognizing my hardships, and for supporting the boxing program of the local government where it all started for me. Without your support from the previous years, my dream wouldn’t be a reality. Again, thank you IDC. ” said Olympic Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam.
Cagayan de Oro is the second home of the Talakag, Bukidnon-born Paalam, where he was discovered and where he received his first training in boxing as a 10-year-old boy.
Paalam is one of four Philippine medalists in the Tokyo Games, along with gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz and teammates Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, who bagged silver and bronze medals, respectively.