One does not need to be tall or a foreigner to bring honor to the Philippines, and this was proven by Carlos Yulo when he earned two gold medals for the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Senator Robin Padilla stressed this as he said Yulo has given inspiration to Filipino youths – that they need not be tall to succeed.
“Binigyang diin ko na ito noong 2023, at uulitin ko ngayon: Si G. Carlos Yulo po, siya po ang halimbawa ng isang atletang Pilipino na hindi kailangang matangkad, hindi kailangang dayuhan, hindi kailangang isang atleta na tinatawag nating sumasali sa mga paligsahan na kailangan ay medyo ikaw ay pang-dayuhan. Siya po ay sukat na sukat,” Padilla said.
“Hindi nila kailangang isipin sila ay kailangang maging matangkad o mag-training sa ibang bansa kundi kanilang pagyamanin ang kanilang talento, kanilang galing bilang mga Pilipino.”
“At ito po sana ay maghikayat sa ating kababayan na kaparehas niya na magkaroon ng lakas ng loob na magsanay at hindi nila kailangang isipin sila ay kailangang maging matangkad o mag-training sa ibang bansa kundi kanilang pagyamanin ang kanilang talento, kanilang galing bilang mga Pilipino,” the lawmaker added.
In his co-sponsorship speech for Senate Resolution 458 in 2023, Padilla pointed out height is not a requirement to give honor to the country – rather, it is the Filipino’s heart.
But the senator also stressed in December 2022 that he is not opposed to naturalizing basketball players like Justin Brownlee as he noted basketball is a sport where height is crucial – especially if the player is willing to be a military reservist for the Philippines.
