Grateful RSA hands over P 22-M gift to PH medalists

Ramon S. Ang, a longtime sports partner. —INQUIRER PHOTO

Tycoon Ramon S. Ang (RSA) will be handing over his “personal gift” of P22 million to Filipino medalists in the just-concluded Tokyo Olympics, with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who ended the Philippines’ 97-year wait for a gold medal, getting P10 million.

Boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will get P5 million each for their silver medal finishes, with middleweight Eumir Marcial getting P2 million for pocketing the bronze.

“As a longtime partner and supporter of Philippine sports, I’m so happy for our athletes. All their hard work paid off. They’ve opened the eyes of so many Filipino sports patrons, fans and aspiring athletes that indeed, we Filipinos can compete and win against the best in the world in the Olympics,” Ang, a rabid sports fan with three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association, said.

“This is just the beginning. We have the momentum. We can only get stronger in the succeeding Olympics,” added Ang. “I’m especially grateful to Hidilyn, whom we’ve supported for several years now, for giving honor to the country by winning our very first Olympic gold medal. We can build on these successes to develop stronger sports programs and produce more Olympic winners like Hidilyn, Carlo, Nesthy and Eumir.”

Filipinos are fighters

Ang also said that the Olympic athletes, as well as their coaches and teams, gave the Philippines more than just medals.

“The message of this Olympic campaign for us Filipinos is clear: We are resilient in the face of challenges and we do not back down from adversity. This pandemic is perhaps one of the greatest challenges in our lifetime. Thank you Hidilyn, Carlo, Nesthy and Eumir for giving us hope and inspiration during this critical time. You showed us that nothing is impossible.”

Ang added that as the Olympics showcased the outstanding athletic feats that fully-trained athletes are capable of, it also serves as a reminder that people are not limited, and that Filipinos should strive to keep fit and healthy in the face of COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, San Miguel Corp. consistently supported the country’s participation and hosting of international competitions, including the staging of 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. In this SEA Games edition, the Philippines also completed its best performance so far in 42 years of participation with a haul of 149 gold medals, 117 silvers and 121 bronzes.