In another belated reward for a former boxing Olympian, Chooks-to-go is giving away P100,000 monthly to bronze medalist Leopoldo Serantes, who is currently under hospital care due to a pulmonary disease.
The 59-year-old Serantes is remembered for winning the Philippines its sixth Olympic medal at the 1988 Seoul games, as well as a gold medal in the 1985 Bangkok Southeast Asian Games.
Apart from his battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), he contracted COVID-19 in April, adding up to their family's struggle to sustian his confinement at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
"Naisipan ko na ilapit siya sa Chooks-to-Go kasi natulungan din ako. Si Serantes, nangangailangan din ng tulong," shared 1996 Atlanta games silver medalist Onyok Velasco, whom the roasted chicken chain also rewarded belatedly with a store of his own.
Velasco was approached by a netizen regarding Serantes' plight, after the recent Tokyo Olympics exposed the struggle for financial support faced by Olympians before and after competing in the Games.
"Si Leopoldo Serantes, isa yang alamat sa boxing. Nung naguumpisa pa lang kami, nandiyan na siya. Siya na yung tinitingala na namin. Nung nag-Olympics siya, dun na nagumpisa yung pagkaidolo namin sa kanya," Velasco said.
Serantes' daughter Leodelia, who received the reward, was quoted recalling how her father would lament being forgotten after his 1988 victory. "Kaya ako, naawa po ako sa papa ko dahil pag nagkwekwento siya sa akin tungkol sa mga nabigay niyang karangalan noon pero ngayon parang binalewala po siya. Parang nilagay na lang siya sa isang tabi na hindi na siya kilala ng karamihan," she said.
"Just like with Onyok Velasco, we cannot just forget the sports heroes that gave honor to our country in the past. We should continue to honor their legacy," said Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascarinas.
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