Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano on Monday thanked Pasay athletes who brought glory and honor to the city during the 30th Southeast Asian Games last year.
“You made us proud,” the first lady Mayor of Pasay City told Jedah–Mae Soriano, Joshua Gleen Bullo, John John Bobier, Whok Dimapilis, Colleen Jem Ferrer and Jeanalane Lopez.
Soriano was the gold medalist in arnis, Dimapilis claimed the title in sailing, Bobier clinched a sepak takraw gold, Lopez bagged a bronze in judo, Bullo nailed a sepak takraw bronze, while Ferrer settled for the silver in sailing.
“You are the new breed of Pasayenos,” Mayor Emi said as she handed out cash incentives to the athletes. “We thank you for putting Pasay in the map of world sports.”
The athletes, in turn, expressed their gratitude to Mayor Emi and the City Government for the cash incentives.
“Para sa akin, napakahalagang bagay ‘yung binigay na cash incentive. Sa tagal ko naglalaro sa ibang bansa at palagi nakakakuha nang medal sa laban, ngayon lang ako nabigyan nang cash incentive nang Pasay. Kaya nu’ng nalaman ko na bibigyan kami na cash incentive ni Mayor Emi, tuwang tuwa ako lalo na ngayon na ikakasal ako. Malaking bagay ito pang dagdag gastos sa kasal ko po,” Bobier said.
For his part, Dimapilis thanked Mayor Emi for recognizing their achievements in the recent international sports event.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako ng marami, unang una kay Mayor Emi sa pagbibigay niya ng pansin sa aming mga medalists ng SEA Games na taga Pasay at sa PIO (Public Information Office) team na nag asikaso samin simula nu’ng Day 1 hanggang sa araw na maibigay na ‘yung cash incentives. Thank you Mayor Emi and PIO team,” Dimapilis said.
Like Bobier, Dimapilis said, he plans to use the cash incentives given by Pasay City Government for his coming wedding.
Mayor Emi then encouraged the athletes to give inspirational and motivational talks to Pasay students.
“They would love to hear your stories, your trials, your perseverance, and your triumph,” she said.
The SEA Games medallists said they are willing to provide inspirational and motivational talks to Pasay students, when invited by the Pasay City Government thru Mayor Emi.