The Filipino Olympians arrived in the Philippines via a chartered flight on Tuesday night, August 13.

The athletes were welcomed at the Villamor Air Base by their loved ones and select Grade 4 students from the Villamor Air Base Elementary School.

Among the Olympians who returned to the country are two-time gold medalist Carlos Yulo and boxing bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.

The athletes then headed to the Malacañang for a Heroes' Welcome Ceremony.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the first family welcomed the athletes as they arrived at the palace. A dinner and the awarding of incentives to the athletes followed.

"What we should do is really recognize all the athletes, number one, all the athletes. Kahit sinong atleta dito sa Pilipinas o kung saan man lang, na makapag-qualify sa Olympics, mabigat 'yun. That is an extremely difficult achievement to have managed," President Bongbong remarked in his speech at the ceremony as reported by ABS-CBN News.

He went on: "Hihingi ako ng paumanhin ninyo dahil maliit lang at alam ko na 'yung isang milyong piso halimbawa ay ikumpara mo sa inyong sakripisyo, ikumpara ninyo sa inyong pinagdaanan, ikumpara ninyo, napakaliit lang."

The president also urged the athletes to work hand in hand with the government to further enhance the landscape of sports in the country.

"I ask all of you to tell us, what is it that you need. Saan kayo—noong sa pag-training ng mga atleta natin, saan kayo nahirapan? Anong hindi ninyo magawa na maitutulong namin? You tell us and hopefully, if we really work together and start to prepare—for not only the Olympics, of course, that’s a very important one, but not only the Olympics," he highlighted.

He added: "We start to prepare for all the international competitions that we have—that are there before us."

The president awarded each Filipino Olympian with ₱1 million cash incentive. The coaching staff will also receive ₱500,000 from the Office of the President.

The said rewards are on top of the incentives that the winning athletes and their coaches will receive as mandated by the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

In the palace ceremony, Carlos received ₱20 million for his double Olympic gold at the Paris Olympics. The president also awarded him the Presidential Medal of Merit.

Meanwhile, Aira and Neshty received ₱2 million each for their bronze medals.