THE Philippine Air Force bestowed two-time Southeast Asian Games triathlon gold medalist Nikko Huelgas a Military Merit Medal on Monday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Huelgas, a Chooks-to-Go ambassador, was honored for his contribution to the relief efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. He went to numerous affected communities in Tarlac, Bulacan, Tingloy Island and Albay to distribute relief goods last year.
“We had some rough days in 2020 when we’d wake up early and arrive home late from our relief operations, bringing our goods to hard to reach areas and the poorest of the poor,” said Huelgas, now a sergeant from Flight Alpha.
The medal is awarded for heroic achievement or meritorious service during or in support of military action against an enemy, in Huelgas’s case, the Covid-19.
“When the world wanted us to stay home and safe, we were out there to help the best way we could,” said Huelgas, who retired from the national team after the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games.
Since then, he went to train with the Air Force while also serving as chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission.
Huelgas has been active in distributing goods, organizing drives and jumpstarting fund-raisers for communities affected by the pandemic.
Read full article on BusinessMirror