ASSISTANCE. Olympic rower Cris Nievarez and his mother Shirley could not help but shed tears of joy after receiving financial assistance from two solons on Monday (May 24, 2021). Congresswoman Angelina “Helen” Tan (right) of the fourth district of Quezon Province and Jose Gay “GP” Padiernos (2nd from left) of GP Party-list paid a visit at the Philippine Rowing Association headquarters in Quezon City to hand the assistance to Nievarez. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Olympic rower Cris Nievarez and his mother Shirley could not help but shed tears of joy after two congressmen on Monday extended financial assistance.
Congresswoman Angelina “Helen” Tan of the fourth district of Quezon Province and Jose Gay “GP” Padiernos of GP Party-list provided cash incentives to both Cris and Shirley when they paid a visit at the Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) headquarters in Quezon City.
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa tulong na binigay nina Congressman GP at Congresswoman Helen. Ngayon po mas lalo ko pa gagalingan para sa (I am very thankful for the help provided Congressman GP and Congresswoman Helen. Now, I will further hone my game for the) Olympics,” Cris said.
“Sobrang napakalaking tulong nito sa aming pamilya lalo na ngayon na sobrang hirap kami sa buhay (This is a huge help for our family especially that now we are struggling in our daily living)," added Shirley.
Tan said she understands the situation the Nievarez family is in right now because she too experienced life in poverty.
“Cris and I came from poor families. But through faith, hard work, and commitment to excellence, we both overcame the odds and won. May the determination and resilience of our new Olympic idol despite the many setbacks serve as inspiration for the younger athletes to strive better and for all Filipinos to never give up,” she said.
Tan then vowed that she will give further financial aid to the 21-year-old Atimonan native in his quest for the country’s elusive Olympic gold.
On the other hand, Padiernos called on the Filipino sports fans to appreciate rowing more.
"Magandang sport itong rowing. Dapat suportahan natin (Rowing is a beautiful sport. We should support it)," he said.
Meanwhile, PRA president Patrick Gregorio thanked both solons for the financial assistance.
“We hope that this much-needed financial boost will inspire our 20-year-old Filipino rower to stay focused on training and to keep himself competition-ready for the Tokyo Olympics. With the help of the government and private individuals, we want to keep this momentum going and move a step closer in promoting the sports of rowing in the country,” he said. (PNA)
