Funds are now being raised for the family of former taekwondo champion Janine Lara-Dy, who passed away due to kidney and heart failure.
Her former coach, ASEAN Taekwondo Federation president Monsour del Rosario is leading the way after learning of what happened to Lara-Dy on Sunday evening at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa.
“Janine’s family signed a promissory note to the hospital to be able to release her remains. Any donations would be greatly appreciated,” said Del Rosario.
Last week, the taekwondo community had their second casualty in Merlita Tasic, an instructor, 45, who expired at the same hospital, but due to COVID-19.
The Philippine Taekwondo Association is also mourning the death of one of their pioneers in Elmer Pato.
Pato, an architect by profession, passed away last July 16 due to the coronavirus. He was 66.
Lara-Dy had memorable finishes when she was still a member of the national team, having earned a bronze medal in the 43-kg division in the 1993 Southeast Asian Games. She is survived by her husband Robin, their three children Lance, Ralph and Danica Dy, along with their half-siblings Nikki and Nikko Atienza.
She also had an unforgettable stint in the 1993 world championships in New York when Lara-Dy reached the finals and finished runner-up to Rahmi Kurnia of Indonesia.
“Janine has been into taekwondo since she was 7. And I was her coach back then,” said Del Rosario, who is also seeking assistance from the Philippine taekwondo community on her family's plight.
Del Rosario and his friends from the Taekwondo Blackbelt Brotherhood plan to raise around P1 million.
“If TKD can put together some funds and donate it as a whole, that would be a very helpful. For donations, the choices are to coordinate with the son Nico or deposit to Asian Hospital,” added del Rosario.
So far, three members of the Philippine taekwondo community have fallen victims to COVID-19.
The PTA has hailed Pato as a major contributor in the growth of the sport and the organization.
“His astute ability in management provided the essential element in propagating taekwondo in the different regions of the country,” a statement on Facebook said.
The community is also doing fundraising activities for Pato family as Elmer’s wife, Maria Janela, and son Francisco, are reportedly in the intensive care unit after also testing positive of the deadly virus.
A former member of the national team, Pato claimed the bronze medal in the 1976 Asian Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
He was also an instructor and coach, before he became the PTA Chairman for Regional Affairs, as well as Secretary General and then Vice President of the Philippine Taekwondo Foundation.