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Arroyo hosts luncheon, wishes RP athletes good luck |
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Written by Staff
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Saturday, 09 August 2008 10:31 |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo once again wished the Filipino athletes and officials the best of luck in their Beijing Olympics campaign, which opened its 29th edition Friday night.
In a luncheon she hosted Saturday at the Asia Hotel, the President, accompanied by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and several Filipino businessmen and politicians, also thanked members of Team Philippines for their sacrifices while urging them “to win honor for the country."
“Ang pinaka-malaking parangal na maiibigay ng ating mga atleta ay ang manalo," the President said during the gathering also attended by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping" Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Butch Ramirez, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Senator Gringo Honasan, Chief of Mission Monico Puentevella and a large number of Filipino community here.
Except for shooter Eric Ang and archer Mark Javier who were on the field competing and taekwondo jins Mari Antoinette Rivero and Tshomslee Go who have yet to check in, all 11 Team RP athletes went to the affair.
“Kinatawan ng 15 atleta and lahat ng Filipino. The whole country is cheering for you. Having qualified is already commendable. Ang hirap mag-qualify,’’ said Mrs Arroyo, eliciting loud cheers from her audience numbering more than 200.
The President and her party are scheduled to leave for Manila this morning after gracing the glittering, well-applauded opening rites along with more than 80 other heads that included American president George Bush, and Russian premier Vladimir Putin, among others.
The President, during a courtesy call by the 15-member Philippine delegation on August 1 in Malacanang, also gave words of encouragement in her brief message to the athletes while announcing she’s giving an additional P4.5 million to any Filipino athlete coming home with a gold medal.
The bonus from the President raised to P15.5 million the kitty that awaits any Filipino gold medalist in this Olympiad which opened in a riot of colors before a global audience of about four billion.
One million from this pot came from Pacquiao, who also had a grand time shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with members of the Filipino group during the two-hour occasion.
Cojuangco, Ramirez and Puentevella later thanked the President for her concern for the athletes while promising nothing but the best from Team Philippines. – GMANews.TV
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