ILOILO – Ilongga boxer Irish Magno finally received her P300,000 cash incentive from the provincial government.
The 30-year-old saw action (flyweight) in the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan.
Magno visited the provincial capitol on Thursday morning. She also received the resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) commending her performance.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. along with SP members June Mondejar, Matt Palabrica, Marcelo Valentine Serag, and Dorothy Paes turned over the cash incentive and a copy of the resolution to Magno.
Magno said she was very grateful.
“Hanggud gid ang pasalamat kay ‘di ko ma-expect nga amo ‘ni ang mabulig nila sa akon, para sa pami lya ko,” said Magno.
She plans using the money to build their house.
“Pa-obra ko sa balay kay ang kwarta kon kaptan mo dali lang eh, dali lang madula. Pero kon makita mo ang pangabudlayan mo hanggud gid ang kalipay mo nga nabatyagan,” Magno stressed.
She also shared her hardships in life.
“Si Nanay amo ‘na kis-a nagapanglaba kag pangamo at si Tatay pamanday, manggarab or manghilamon sa kampo. Anum kami mag-utod, mga gagmay pa libayon ko. So hanggud gid nga bulig ‘ni,” said Magno.
She would stay in Janiuay for a few days before returning to Baguio City to train as a member of the Philippine Navy and also continue her boxing training.
“Walang hinto hangga’t walang ginto. ‘Yan ‘yong sinasabi ko sa sarili ko,” Magno said.
Defensor lauded Magno.
“Congratulations kay Irish. May Olympian kita kag maayo gid nga makabulig kita. Salamat sa SP naton sila gid ‘na ang nagpatigayon nga makahatag kita sang assistance,” said Defensor.
For the governor, Magno’s Olympics stint should inspire all.
This is also the reason why the provincial government’s priority is to develop players with the potential to excel at the international level, Defensor said.
According to Defensor, before the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the provincial government had a varsity tournament to see potential athletes. However, it was temporarily halted after gatherings were banned during the pandemic especially when body contact was involved.
The province also wanted to develop its sports program through the schools, Defensor said.
“You know why gusto man naton i-encourage ang kabataan nga gusto mag-intra sa sports, eskwela kaw indi man puede nga mag-basketball ka lang sa plaza kag ma-asenso. Pa-agyon gid namon sa schools… it starts with the varsity level,” said Defensor./PN
