Cebu Province Athletes Receive Rewards

Cebu province athletes who bagged awards in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet were surprised to receive cash incentives from the Capitol.

The smell of success and giggles of the victors made the Mar. 4 awarding at Pavilion, DepEd Ecotech Center extra special.

The gold medalists received P1,000, P800 for silver while the athletes who grabbed bronze received P500.

For the 12-year-old wushu athlete Charlou Atamosa who secured three golds in the competition, the cash reward is a big help for the installation of electricity in their house.

The Grade 6 athlete shared that he wanted to help his family acquire money so they can have electrical connection in the house.

Wushu is composed of two disciples: taolu and sanda. Atamosa specializes in taolu or the non-sparring category. It focuses on the martial art patterns and maneuvers, which comprise the discipline’s basic movements. A kick, punches, balances, jumps, and throws are such movements of this discipline.

Atamosa is under coach Jose Ryan Baterna‘s tutelage since last year.

”He is able to learn fast, that is why he really can deliver well,” Baterna said about the young athelete.

Baterna shared that his trainee was excited to go home to inform his family about the cash incentive.

Meanwhile, Sam Gilbert Rodrigo, a gold medalist for 110-meter hurdle, said that he is saving the cash for the coming Palaro in Albay on April.

“Bisan layo pa ang Palaro, ako na’ng gipangandaman aron akong atubangon ang training nalang nya dili na kaayo problema sa kwarta (Even when the Palaro is still far away, I want to be prepared by focusing on my training without worrying too much about money),” said Rodrigo.

Wushu athletes Nicole Caminos, Glenda Eballe and Mae Fabrigas shared that their money would be spent for school materials needed for the senior high students.

During the congratulatory message, Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu Province Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud mentioned the potentials of those who got silver and bronze medals.

“Dako kayo mo (silver and bronze medalists) og potential nga makalangkat og gold mao na’ng kamo amo gayud nga tutokan ug dili sad nato biyaan ang mga naka-gold (You have the potentials to bag gold medals, which is why we will focus on your improvement but at the same time, we will not leave the gold medalists behind),” Angtud said.

Angtud also commended the coaches, teachers and the school administrators for equally doing their best in supporting the student-athletes. During the ceremony, the superintendent also encouraged the athletes to thank their coaches and pat the backs of their fellow athletes.

For Criselda Rondina, a third year volleyball player from Compostela, the trust of their coaches and teachers is a big factor for their sports.

“All the support that they can give, they have fully given to us. They honed us very well from the physical aspects to our character and if there are big opportunities given to us from prestigious schools in Cebu and Manila, they do not stop us from chasing our dreams,” Rondina added.

By Cris Lanie Delos Reyes

www.cebu.gov.ph