Ilocanos seek holiday declaration for first Filipino Olympics medalist

LAOAG CITY—Ilocanos in this northern part of Luzon is looking forward to celebrate Teofilo Yldefonso Day on November 4 of every year as a regular holiday in the province.

Known as the first Filipino Olympics medalist who brought pride to the country in 200-meter breaststroke in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics and in 1932 Los Angeles Olympics in 1932, senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc initiated the filing of a provincial resolution requesting President Rodrigo R. Duterte to declare November 4 as a regular holiday.

Born in Piddig town in 1903, Mr. Yldefonso’s remarkable achievement as the only Filipino athlete to have won back-to-back medals at the Olympics is one for the books up to this day.

Mr. Manotoc said “it is just right and proper” to recognize Mr. Yldefonso, known as the “Ilocano Shark” for his unique style in swimming.

Backing this move, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved on November 20 a resolution requesting the House of Congress and the Office of the President to declare November 4 “Teofilo Yldefonso Day” of every year as a regular holiday in the province to honor him.

History records show Mr. Yldefonso at a young age was already an orphan. In a statement by the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISOFH), the famous son of Piddig learned swimming by himself at the Guisit River near his home. (Leilanie G. Adriano)

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