Team RP chief raves over rich purse

The chef-de-mission of the RP Team to the Beijing Olympics almost couldn’t believe what he heard at Malacañang yesterday.

“Oh my God. If only I was a young man with P15 million. You can buy a house, you can buy a lot, you can buy a car, get married and start a business,” said Monico Puentevella.

Moments earlier, President Arroyo announced that she is putting in another P4.5 million to the purse that goes to the Filipino gold medalist in the Beijing Games beginning Aug. 8.

Puentevella said it’s a first in Philippine history that so much money, P15 million ($340,000) is being offered to anyone who can win the country’s first gold medal in the Olympics.

“This is the biggest in history so I’m happy for the athletes. We have to push our athletes to the ultimate challenge,” said Puentevella, who even expects the pot to grow bigger in the days to come.

“I’ll tell you honestly it’s not going to finish at 15 (million) because there are others just waiting. So if someone wins the gold then they will follow,” he said.

Asked if the P15 million should be divided just in case more than one gold medal is won, Puentevella said it would depend later on.

“Bahala na (We’ll see). One gold will be a miracle. Another gold will be from God Almighty,” he said.

Another P5 million will come from the government, and a million each from Philippine Airlines, Microsoft, boxer Manny Pacquiao, businessman Mikee Romero and his father Regis, and Jimmy Ong, and P500,000 from the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

“I’m happy with the 15 million. I’m happy for the athletes. And we thank the President for inspiring our athletes,” he added.        – Abac Cordero