GMA honors Doha Asiad heroes today

President Arroyo hands out a total of P13.5 million in cash incentives as she honors all Filipino athletes who won medals in the recent Asian Games in Doha, Qatar today.

The Philippines won four gold, six silver and nine bronze medals in the 15th staging of the quadrennial event for the country’s best showing since its 7-6-24 haul in the 1962 Asiad in Jakarta.

Under Republic Act 9064 and an additional incentive package prepared by the President, each gold medal is worth P1.5 million, silver P800,000 and bronze P300,000.

For most of the Filipino athletes who won medals, this will be the biggest paycheck of their lives.

The athletes will gather at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex at 8 a.m. and will leave for Malacañang shortly after. The President will welcome the victorious athletes at 10 a.m.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez and commissioners Ritchie Garcia, Joey Mundo, Leon Montemayor and Ambrocio de Luna will accompany the athletes to the Palace.

Invited to represent the Philippine Olympic Committee are its president Jose Cojuangco, chairman Robert Aventajado and vice president Monico Puentevella.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is also expected to be there, and might announce his intention to once again throw his full support to the athletes as they gear up for the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.

Winning the gold for the Philippines were cue artist Antonio Gabica, boxers Violito Payla and Joan Tipon and wushu’s Rene Catalan.

Winning the silver were taekwondo’s Mary Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go, cue artists Jeff de Luna and Gabica, karate’s Ma. Marna Pabillore and Eduard Folayang in wushu.

Coming home with the bronze were taekwondo’s Kathleen Alora, Veronica Domingo and Manuel Rivero Jr., boxing’s Godfrey Castro and Genebert Basadre, golf’s Michael Bibat, tennis’ Eric Taino and Cecil Mamiit, and karate’s Noel Espinosa.

For winning the 9-ball gold and the 8-ball silver, Gabica will come out of Malacañang the winningest of all with his P2.3 million.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo is also set to confer Friday the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Champion for Life awards to three Filipino Mt. Everest conquerors. The three who reached the world’s highest peak were Romeo Garduce and partners Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata.