15 Beijing bets share P1M from Pharmaton

The Filipino athletes who failed to bring home a medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics didn’t go home empty-handed after all.

Pharmaton, a vitamin brand manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim, gave P1 million to be divided equally among the 15 members of the team.

“They did their best for the country and Pharmaton has recognized their efforts,” said Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., the Philippine Olympic Committee president.

POC spokesman Joey Romasanta said taekwondo jin Toni Rivero, tanker Ryan Arabejo, diver Sheila Mae Perez and long jumper Marestella Torres were the first ones who had received their checks worth P67,000 each.

Others in the team were Tshomlee Go, boxer Harry Tañamor, diver Rexel Ryan Fabriga, long jumper Henry Dagmil, swimmers Miguel Molina, Daniel Coakley, Christel Simms and JB Walsh, archer Mark Javier, shooter Eric Ang and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

Wushu medalists Willy Wang, Mary Jane Estimar, Marianne Mariano and Benjie Rivera, however, were not included in the list.

The four, however, have already received their incentives, more than the regular Olympians have received.

Wang took home P6.5 million for his gold medal feat in nanquan or form event, Estimar got P1.75 million for her silver and Mariano and Rivera took home P1 million each for their bronze medal efforts in sanshou, a combat event.

The incentives totaling P10 million came from President Arroyo, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, the Philippine Sports Commission through chair William “Butch” Ramirez and more recently San Miguel Corp.   – Joey Villar