(PNA photo by Joey Razon)
MANILA – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has given financial assistance to the family of track and field champion Lydia de Vega-Mercado, who was once labeled as Asia's fastest woman.
PCSO Chairperson Junie Cua and general manager Melquiades Robles personally gave the check worth PHP500,000 to the athlete's daughter Stephanie Mercado de Koenigswarter in a ceremony at the agency's main office in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.
De Vega-Mercado is currently confined at the Makati Medical Center and is in critical condition due to Stage 4 breast cancer.
The athlete's daughter thanked the PCSO for its support to their family, as they face what she called their "biggest race" so far.
She also appealed for prayers and continued support for her mother.
For his part, Robles also called on the public to also help the family of the athlete.
“We are giving but definitely it’s a far cry from what they need. We’re also appealing to others to join us in helping the family. It is a fact, siya yung kayamanan ng ating bayan (she is a treasure of our nation). It may not be enough, bigay namin ay maliit rin lang kumbaga sa kailangan nila pero baka sakali pag nagsama-sama, tulong tulong mas matulungan natin sila (we were able to give only a small amount as compared to what they need but if these contributions from others are pooled, maybe we can help them better), ” he appealed.
Earlier, pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena pledged to donate the PHP250,000 incentive he would be receiving from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to de Vega-Mercado.
This came after he won a medal and broke his own Asian record in pole vault with a 5.94-meter leap at the World Athletics Championships held in the US state of Oregon on July 24.
De Vega-Mercado was a two-time Olympian, having represented the Philippines in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics. (PNA)
