A month after his triumph in Tokyo, 2020 Summer Olympics bronze medalist in boxing Eumir Marcial was back doing his duties as a Philippine Air Force personnel.
And on Tuesday, the Air Force sergeant gave back to the people that supported him.
Together with Chooks-to-Go, Marcial and members of the Air Force set up a community pantry in Bagumbayan, Quezon City. There, they distributed dressed chicken and packed meals to the affected community.
"Sobrang saya ko po ngayon dahil nakapag-share po ako sa ating mga kababayan," said Marcial. "Kumbaga hindi lang po during na lumalaban ako na na-inspire ko sila pero sa ganitong bagay, naparamdam ko yung pasasalamat ko sa kanila. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Boss Ronald [Mascariñas] at sa Chooks-to-Go dahil sinuportahan nila ako."
Also helping distribute the goods was the country's first-ever gold medalist in the Games in SSG. Hidilyn Diaz.
Marcial can't help but look back on the time when he and his family in Zamboanga were the ones lining up in pantries just to get by.
"Dati po, ganito din kami," reflected the proud son of Lunzaran. "Pumipila kami sa mga bigasan na nagbibigay."
"Ngayon, kami naman 'yung tumutulong sa ating kababayan. Walang imposible kung tayo ay magsipag at manalangin," he continued.
Though tough are the current times, Marcial vowed that personnel like him and Chooks-to-Go will be there for every Filipino.
"Sa panahon po ngayon, huwag tayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Nandito po 'yung Philippine Air Force para mag-alalay sa atin at nandito rin 'yung Chooks-to-Go na tumutulong din sa mahihirap," he said. "Tayong mga Pilipino, lalaban po tayo."
