Just like his brothers, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco would love to see himself coaching national athletes in international competitions.
Velasco hopes that someday, he will be able to share with aspiring boxers his skills and experience as a boxing a silver medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
“Oo gusto ko gawin ‘yan. Hindi pa nga lang sa ngayon kasi marami pa tayong ibang commitments. Ayaw ko namang ilagay ako sa pusisyon tapos hindi ako makapag-focus,” said Velasco.
“Pero gusto ko talagang maituro ‘yung correct mindset sa laban.”
Velasco said athletes should be taught about becoming independent inside the ring, always ready for alternative remedies when the fight does not go according to plan.
“Nu’ng ako ang naglalaro, sinususunod ko talaga ang coaches ko sa gameplan, pero ‘pag hindi nasunod ung plano, dapat may alternative plan na ako para hindi na ako nangangapa. ‘Pag may bago ang kalaban ko, dapat may handa na ako pangontra.”
Velasco’s elder brothers Roehl and Nolito are current national coaches under the Alliance of Boxing Associations of the Philippines.
Velasco said he already has three children graduating from college, with one more to go. Then, he may finally decide on getting back to his final love—boxing.
“Isa na lang istudyante ko. After that pag-iisipan ko na ‘yan. ‘Pag nilagay ka sa position na iyan (coach) dapat full-time ka talaga.”
On Monday night, Velasco’s passion to represent the country was again fueled when he, along with the four medalists in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, were honored and given cash incentives by President Rodrigo Duterte in a formal ceremony in Malacañang.
Duterte conferred Velasco the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi and handed him a checque worth P500,000 as a gift to make up for the false promises by politicians after he brought honor to the country 25 years ago.
During that time, there was no clear-cut policies yet on the cash incentives for athletes, who performed successfully in world-class competitions like the Olympics.
The House of Representatives promised to give him a P2.5-million cash incentive and scholarship grants for his children. But there was no resolution passed to make it happen.
A businessman committed to provide him a lifetime P10,000 monthly allowance but it was discontinued after a year. The house where his family lives was donated to him, but he has yet to receive its title.