Double gold medallist sailor Whok Dimapilis is expected to get a total cash windfall of at least P800,000.
His added incentive of P200,000 came from the Pasay City government after the Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and members of the council decided to hand out cash bonuses to the medallists of the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The 27-year-old Dimapilis’ earnings came after he and a six-member crew won two gold medals in the FE28ER match and fleet racing events of the biennial meet’s sailing event at the Subic Bay Yacht Club.
Because of his blessings, Dimapilis said he will be able to finally have a new house in Cavite that he bought for his wife and kid renovated.
“Hindi ko pa masyadong naiisip. Pero may nakaplano na. Balak kong ipagawa ang bahay ko na under renovation na para sa asawa at anak ko,” said Dimapilis, who did not expect the Pasay City government to give him and his fellow Pasayeno athletes recognition.
Dimapilis resides in the FB Harrison area.
The crew that won the two golds in sailing was captained by Joel Mejarito and composed of Ridgely Balladares, Rubin Cruz Jr.,Dimapilis, Richly Magsanay, and Edgar Villapena.
“Natuwa ako dahil ‘di lang sila nagbigay ng honor sa Pasay City, kungdi sa buong Pilipinas,” said Mayor Calixto-Rubiano during awards rites held for six Pasay City athletes who won medals during the biennial meet.
The Philippines won three golds in sailing after Emerson Villena and Troy Tayong ruled the men’s international 470 event.
Another Pasay resident Colleen Jem Ferrer, with teammate Gie Boyano, took a silver in the international 420.
Athletes of Pasay City brought home a total of three golds, one silver and two bronzes for the Philippines.
The other athletes who were honored were Jeddah Soriano (women’s arnis) and John Bobier (sepak takraw), who are from Villamor Air Base and P. Villanueva, respectively.
Also feted were judo bronze winner Jeanalane Lopez and Joshua Bullo (sepak takraw).
More incentives are coming from the Philippine Olympic Committee, which got the commitment of San Miguel Corporation.
The POC will give out P200K for every individual gold medalist, aside from P50,000 for a silver and P30,000 for a bronze.
And it will happen in ceremonies that will held today at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.
The Games yielded 149 gold medals, 117 silver and 121 bronze for the host country, thereby giving the Philippines the over-all championship.