A residential unit for an athletics bronze medal at the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games?
That’s what sprinter Jelly Dianne Casalme Paragile received from Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who’s now back as mayor of Tagaytay City after completing a full three terms as a member of the House of Representatives.
“I was so surprised, I thought I was only receiving a cash bonus, but I was given much more,” the 24-year-old 100-meter hurdles bronze medalist in Hanoi said. “I thought I was only being recognized when I was asked to go up the stage.”
“Suddenly, Mayor Tolentino made the announcement—I feel truly blessed with the blessing from Mayor Bambol,” she gushed.
Tolentino rewarded Paragile, a private at the Philippine Army, a unit at the Bahay Tagaytay Residences Tower in Barangay Mendez Crossing East. The residential tower is one of Tolentino’s major projects under his administration in Tagaytay City.
“As a beloved daughter of Tagaytay City who has given pride and honor to the city, it is but fitting to reward Jelly Dianne for her accomplishment,” said Tolentino as he announced Paragile’s reward, which came with a P50,000 cash bonus, during the Araw ng Tagaytay celebration last June 21.
With her reward, Paragile joined the ranks of Tokyo Olympics weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and boxing silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio and bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial who now own houses and lots in Tagaytay City courtesy of Tolentino and Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino.
Paragile, a Physical Education degree holder from Far Eastern University (FEU), lives with her parents—William, 50 and a welder, and Dorothea, 46 and a barangay health employee—and 15-year-old brother Jordan Dale at the Kapalaran Compound in Sungay East near the Picnic Grove.
She won gold for FEU in the 2019 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s 100 meter race of athletics, one of many local accomplishments that earned her a slot on the national team.
Is she excited to transfer to her new home?
“Anytime soon I will transfer there,” she said. “Imagine, I haven’t won a gold medal yet internationally—and I really dream of making it to the Olympics. With these rewards, I’m really motivated to work harder.”