Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo won his second Olympic gold medal in two days, becoming the second athlete to bring home the top prize at the Games for his country.
A three-bedroom apartment, thousands of dollars and free ramen for life are among the gifts the government and local brands have pledged to give the 24-year-old for his historic victories in the men’s floor exercise and vault events.
Mr. Yulo’s achievement also makes him the country’s newest social media phenomenon.
“Another gold medal for the Philippines! History made again! Ang galing galing mo! [You are incredible!]a user wrote on X.
Mr Yulo averaged 15.116 in the show jumping event on Sunday, ahead of Armenia’s Artur Davtyan (14.966) and Britain’s Harry Hepworth (14.949).
He punched his fist in the air and hugged other athletes when he heard his score. He entered the competition without much expectation, he told reporters.
“I just hope I do well. I don’t really expect to win a medal,” said Yulo.
“I really feel like it’s a reward for me. It’s crazy, because I didn’t sleep last night. I was so excited to win the gold medal. [the day before].
Just 24 hours ago, Yulo won the gold medal in the men’s vault event with 15 points, just 0.034 points ahead of Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat. Dolgopyat is an Olympic champion and world champion.
Yulo’s double gold medal win is now the most talked about topic on X, formerly known as Twitter, in the Philippines.
“It took 100 years for us to hear Lupang Hinirang [the Philippines’ national anthem] two nights in a row while the whole world was watching. Thank you so much for the pride and historic moment!” one X user wrote.
A century has passed since the Philippines first participated in the Olympics in 1924. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo three years ago.
Philippine celebrities and public figures, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, also congratulated Mr Yulo.
“Words cannot express how proud we are of you, Caloy. You have won GOLD for the Philippines not once but twice! Filipinos all over the world have united, cheered and supported you,” Mr. Marcos wrote on Facebook.
The Philippine government will give the gymnast 10 million Philippine pesos ($173,300; £135,400) – the reward for any athlete who wins a gold medal – while a property company has promised to give him a furnished three-bedroom apartment in McKinley Hill, the largest apartment complex in the capital Manila.
The House of Representatives has pledged to give Mr Yulo an additional 6 million pesos in cash, while House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez described him as a “sports hero” and “national treasure”.
Even medical clinics and universities rolled out the red carpet for the national hero – a gastroenterologist offered Yulo free lifetime consultations and colonoscopies while the University of Mindanao pledged free college credits.
Also waiting for him is Lifetime supply of ramen noodlesMacaroni and cheese and grilled chicken are offered by various restaurant chains.
Meanwhile, the capital Manila, where Mr Yulo was born and raised, is preparing a “hero’s welcome” for him.
“The warmest welcome will greet him and all our Paris Olympians. When we meet him, we will present Carlos Yulo with the cash prizes, awards and symbols of the eternal gratitude of the proud capital of the Philippines,” said the city’s mayor, Honey Lacuna.
Additional reporting by Virma Simonette in Manila
