Tokyo Olympics-bound rower Cris Nievarez received cash incentives from Quezon City’s 4th District Representative Angelina “Helen” Tan and GP Partylist Representative Jose Gay “GP” Padiernos on Monday at the Philippine Rowing Association Headquarters in La Mesa Dam, Quezon City.
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa tulong na binigay nina Congressman GP at Congresswoman Helen. Ngayon po mas lalo ko pa gagalingan para sa Olympics,” Nievarez said.
Rep. Tan has pledged to extend whatever assistance Nievarez needs to successfully prepare and compete in the men’s single sculls event of the Tokyo Olympics.
Tan said she didn’t think twice about providing Nievarez the needed incentive because the Filipino rower reminds her of her humble beginnings.
“Chris and I came from poor families. But through faith, hard work and commitment to excellence, we both overcame the odds and won. May the determination and resilience of our new Olympic idol despite the many setbacks serve as inspiration for the younger athletes to strive better and for all Filipinos to never give up,” she said.
“Galing sa Puso ang tulong na binibigay ko Kay Cris. Magandang sport itong rowing. Dapat suportahan natin,” said Rep. Padiernos.
Cris’ mother, Shirley Nievarez thanked the solons for their support to his son’s journey in the Olympics. “Sobrang napakalaking tulong nito sa aming pamilya lalo na ngayon na sobrang hirap kami sa buhay.”
The PRA also expressed its gratitude to Reps. GP and Tan for the support it extended to Cris and the sports organization.
“We hope that this much-needed financial boost will inspire our 20-year-old Filipino rower to stay focused on training and keep himself competition-ready for the Tokyo Olympics. With the help of the government and private individuals, we want to keep this momentum going and move a step closer in promoting the sport of rowing in the country,” PRA President Patrick Gregorio said.
Nievarez became the 1st Filipino rower in the Olympics in 21 years since Benjamin “Benjie” Tolentino made it to the 2000 Sydney games. He will be the country’s entry in the men’s single sculls (M1x) in the Tokyo Olympics this year.