Aice Ice Cream, the Worldwide Olympic Partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Official Ice Cream of the Philippine Olympic Team, paid tribute to Filipino athletes who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics through the “Saludo, Atletang Pilipino” Thanksgiving Celebration. The event took place on 26 September 2024, in Batangas and at the Holiday Inn & Suites LimaPark.
The event was attended by notable athletes including double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, boxing medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, as well as President of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, Cynthia Carrion, and POC Head of Marketing Nikko Huelgas. A special tour of the Aice factory in Batangas was given to the athletes and distinguished guests from Lima Land Inc. and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. They were later joined by World Vovinam Championship gold medalist Hergie Bacyadan and Joanie Delgaco, the first Filipino female rower to qualify for the Olympics, for a Thanksgiving ceremony.
Aice has been a dedicated supporter of the Philippine Olympians, organizing various initiatives before, during, and after the games. Leading up to the Olympics, Aice held a send-off event to show the nation’s support for the athletes. During the competition, the company launched a campaign titled “Run to Paris, Aice! Cheer for Philippine Olympians,” which united fans, consumers, and employees in cheering on the country’s Olympians. Upon the athletes’ return, Aice initiated “Kaice-Saya Kasama: Pasasalamat sa Atletang Pilipino,” a series of Thanksgiving Motorcade Parties that celebrated the athletes’ efforts and achievements.
As part of their commitment to Filipino athletes, Aice pledged PHP2,000,000 and a one-year supply of ice cream to Carlos Yulo. Boxing medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas were awarded PHP300,000 each and a one-year supply of Aice ice cream. Non-medalist athletes were honored with custom-made pure silver commemorative coins, engraved with their initials, the Aice and POC logos, and the words “Paris Olympics 2024.”
Aice announced plans to invest further in Philippine sports development. The company committed to establishing a sports motivation fund with the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission, investing at least one million pesos annually to promote youth sports and reward outstanding athletes.
Aice’s ongoing efforts to support the nation’s athletes reflect their dedication to fostering unity and pride within the Filipino community, celebrating both the spirit of competition and the joy that sports bring to people’s lives.