Catalan to join Disney holiday

Alfie Catalan, the SEA Games gold medalist who was injured in a vehicular accident last Tuesday, is feeling a lot better now and is raring to join his fellow gold medalists in a three-day vacation in Hong Kong on Dec. 19.

Catalan, who won the gold in cycling’s 4 km individual pursuit, was riding his scooter when he was sideswiped by a speeding taxicab in Quezon City Tuesday night. He was treated at the hospital for bruises in different parts of the body.

Catalan went out of his quarters at the Amoranto Stadium to buy some detergent as he was washing his clothes and at the same time cleaning his scooter. He failed to join the victory parade for all SEA Games medalists the next day.

Also as a result of the accident, Catalan missed the chance to represent the country in the Asian Cycling Championships scheduled to start Dec. 14 in India.

And now he can only look forward to the Hong Kong trip arranged by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

"He’s now excited to go to Hong Kong and see Disneyland," said a cycling official of Catalan, who suffered busted lip that needed eight stitches to close and bruises all over his body, including his left leg that was placed in a cast.

The First Gentleman learned of the accident only yesterday morning when he graced the SCOOP sa Kamayan Forum.

"That’s so sad. I didn’t know until now. I’ll try to visit him later," said the First Gentleman who immediately ordered his staff, led by his chief of staff Juris Soliman, to check on Catalan’s whereabouts.

The First Gentleman Foundation, again through the help of the private sector, will shoulder the Hong Kong trip, which he had previously promised to those who will win gold medals for the country in the SEA Games.

The Philippines wound up the overall champions after winning 113 gold medals on top of 86 silver and 92 bronze medals. Since there are golds in team events, the total number of athletes joining the trip may reach close to 200.

"As of now, there are 175 who have confirmed. And those who have not will have until noon of Dec. 14 to say so. Otherwise, their slots are waived," said the First Gentleman, adding that those who will join the vacation will be given a pocket money of $300 each.

"This will not be deducted from their incentives. This is a gift for winning the gold," the First Gentleman said.