The shower of gifts and prizes continues for the country’s medalists at the Tokyo Olympics.
On August 18, boxing silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, and weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz were all awarded brand-new vehicles from local automotive company United Asia Automotive Group (UAAGI). The company distributes Chinese vehicle brands Chery and Foton in the country.
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Each medalist is going home with a different vehicle from the company’s lineup. Diaz was given a 13-seater Foton TransVan, Petecio got a Chery Tiggo 2 subcompact crossover, and Paalam received a Foton GraTour MT MPV.
The country’s other medalist, boxer Eumir Marcial, is taking home P300,000 in cash.
“Maraming salamat po,” Diaz said upon accepting the vehicle. “Ang tagumpay ko po ay tagumpay nating lahat.”
Petacio said she has yet to learn how to drive, but plans to go to Baguio as soon as possible to visit her girlfriend. “Paborito ko po talaga si Lightning McQueen, so iyon po ang ipapangalan ko sa kotse ko,” she shared.
Dozens of government and private companies have pledged a multitude of prizes to the medalists. Diaz, for instance, has already been given millions of pesos in cash incentives, a house, a condominium unit, and a new car (plus driving lessons to build up her confidence behind the wheel).
“We are all very proud of what our hardworking athletes have achieved on the global stage,” said Rommel Sytin, president of UAAGI. “It is our privilege to be able to reward these sporting heroes in our humble way.”
NOTE: This article first appeared on Esquiremag.ph. Minor edits have been made.
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