Ramon Ang hands P10-M check to Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) president Ramon Ang on Tuesday handed a P10 million check he earlier pledged to Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

In a statement, Ang challenged Diaz to gun for another gold medal three years from now in Paris, where the Philippines will mark its 100th year of participation in the quadrennial meet.

“Hidilyn is the country’s trailblazer in our successful Olympic gold medal quest. After years of heartbreaks, she came through for us and we are very thankful as a nation. We encourage her to go for another gold and inspire more athletes to believe that they can achieve more,” he said.

“Her victory comes at a very crucial point in our country’s history when we are grappling with a pandemic and a lot of Filipinos are looking for hope as we fight this virus and cope with the difficulties it has brought,” he added.

Aside from Diaz, boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will also receive P5 million each from Ang for winning silver medals, while P2 million will go to bronze medal-winning boxer Eumir Marcial.

Apart from the P10 million incentive, Ang is also giving Diaz two Chick ‘N Juicy chicken rotisserie franchise outlets from San Miguel Foods, Inc. as a gift.

One outlet will be located at Eastwood City in Libis and while another to be set up at her home province of Zamboanga.

“With the franchise outlets, we will assist Hidilyn every step of way in her journey as an entrepreneur so that she can also help other people in need of jobs. In addition to the physical stores, equipment, and training, we will also provide the initial stocks for free to get her started” he said.

A longtime supporter of Philippine sports, SMC backed the Philippine team that ruled the 2019 Southeast Asian Games with a haul of 149 gold medals, 117 silvers, and 121 bronzes.

With the help of SMC, the Philippine team also won the overall championship in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games with 112 golds, 85 silvers, and 93 bronzes.

SMC also owns three professional basketball teams, namely San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).—AOL, GMA News