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| 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco Jr. holds the Chooks-To-Go key with a smile after being handed his own store by Bounty Agro Ventures president Ronald Mascariñas. (Image Source: ABS-CBN News) |
More than a dozen of Filipino athletes have showcased and proven their worth, mettle and prowess to the world in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic, and their hardwork and efforts have paid off as four Filipino athletes delivered the country's best performance throughout the history of its participation in the prestigious sporting event with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz bagging the nation's first Olympic gold medal, two silver medals courtesy of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and boxer Eumir Marcial as the country's first Olympic bronze medalist for more than a decade. It eventually paved the way for several concerned Filipinos to clamor for recognition and support towards those who have brought honor to the country before them.
Such attention for these literally forgotten Filipino athletes is where Chooks-To-Go comes in. As a major stalwart in the Philippine sports scene, Chooks-To-Go has forged a new commitment to help those whose contributions brought honor and glory to the nation, especially to the Filipino Olympians of the Past. “Natutuwa akong makita ang buhos ng parangal at gantimpala mula sa pamahalaan at lalo na sa pribadong sektor sa mga atletang nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa nitong nakaarang Olympics. Ngunit may isang matagal ng pangakong tila nakalimutan na and we’d like to be part of the solution first before we join the celebration of our heroes in the Tokyo Olympics,” said Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. (Chooks-To-Go) President Ronald Mascariñas.
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| 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics silver medalist and Philippine national boxing team coach Roel Velasco with the key to his own Chooks-To-Go store in his hand after being given to him by Bounty Agro Ventures president Ronald Mascariñas. (Image Source: Philstar.com) |
Following the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics, Chooks-To-Go gave two of its branches to 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics silver medalist Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco Jr. and his elder brother, 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics silver medalist and Philippine National Boxing Team coach Roel Velasco. For them, having a Chooks-To-Go store is like winning gold because the brand has witnessed and recognized the sacrifices that they and the boxers following them are enduring for pride and glory to the Filipino nation and the Filipino people. On the other hand, 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics bronze medalist Leopoldo Serrantes, who is suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was given a lifetime monthly allowance of Php100,000 after Mascariñas tracked his whereabouts with the help of Onyok Velasco when netizen Jhay San Antonio raised it on his Facebook page. The family of the 59-year old Bicolano is grateful for the gift that Chooks-To-Go has given to him which is said to be used for Serrante's medical bills.
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| (L-R) Bounty Agro Ventures (Chooks-To-Go) President Ronald Mascariñas, Leodelia Serrantes representing 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics bronze medalist Leopoldo Serrantes and Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco Jr. (Image Source: Manila Bulletin) |
Other athletes who have been granted a Chooks-To-Go branch are 1990 Asian Games men's basketball silver medalist Benjie Paras, two-time FIBA Asia Cup silver medalist Gabe Norwood, five-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kiefer Ravena and University of the Philippines' Paul Desiderio. For Chooks-To-Go, Filipino sports fans and enthusiasts of all ages should never forget those who have brought pride and honor to the nation and continue to honor their legacy and contributions to the sport. And what it has given to the Velasco brothers and Serrantes is just the beginning as Chooks-To-Go continues to assure that the Filipino athletes it has helped, forgotten or not, will be able to live with dignity as among the nation's great heroes. Believe it!!
