Chooks-to-Go extended a helping hand to two-time Olympian and Asia’s former sprint queen Lydia De Vega-Mercado on Wednesday.
De Vega-Mercado, 57, is currently in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery earlier this month.
Upon knowing the situation, Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas immediately asked for the release of P250,000 to the De Vega-Mercado family to help with the mounting cost they have incurred in hospital bills.
“Madame Lydia is a living legend in Philippine sports, a true queen,” said Mascariñas. “During her heyday, she was someone we looked up to as she broke barriers for the Filipina athlete.
“Imagine, she won numerous Asian championships and dominated the Southeast Asian region for years. And she did it with class and flair that have yet to be matched up to this day,” he added.
Receiving the check were Lydia’s daughter Stephanie and son-in-law David Koenigswarter.
“Sobrang heartwarming because hindi naman kaila sa atin na my mom left for Singapore to work there. Ngayon kasama na natin siya. We are very happy at we are very thankful sa lahat nang sumusuporta sa kanya at tumutulong para maka-recover siya,” said Stephanie, a former volleyball player.
“Hindi maganda ‘to ngayon na nangyayari sa buhay niya. Sinasabi nga namin na ito ‘yong pinakamalaking karera sa buhay nya. And we are happy na si Chooks-to-Go, kasama namin na tumutulong at nagdarasal para maka-recover ‘yong Mom ko dahil lahat gusto na mas matagal natin siyang makasama at hindi tayo nag-gi-give up for her, so lahat ng tulong binibigay natin para maka-recover siya.”
It was a heartwarming moment as Olympians Eumir Marcial (Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist) and “Onyok” Velasco (Atlanta 1996 silver medalist) were the ones who gave the check to Lydia’s daughter.
And the two pugilists hope that many more will help Lydia out.
“Masaya ako dahil naging parte ako ng Chooks-to-Go family dahil dito ko po talaga naramdaman ang pagmamahal sa atleta. Mga active, retired na atleta tulad nina Lydia de Vega at Onyok Velasco, hindi pinapabayaan ng Chooks-to-Go. Sa tulong ng Chooks-to-Go, sana mapabilis ang paggaling ni Ma’am Lydia,” said Marcial.
“Hinihingi ko lang po na sana ipagdasal nating lahat si Ma’am Lydia. Walang bayad po ang pagdarasal at makakatulong ito ng malaki sa kanya. Sana po sa susunod, makasama na po namin dito sa Chooks-to-Go si Ma’am Lydia na malakas at magaling na siya.”
“Siyempre sa akin, napakalaking tulong ang suporta ng Chooks-to-Go. Mula noong pandemic, maraming nawalan, pero ako nagkaroon dahil sa Chooks-to-Go. So talagang malaking bagay ‘to,” said Velasco, who has also become a friend to Lydia. “Tapos ‘yong Chooks-to-Go kasi, hindi lang ako ang tinutulungan. Lahat ng mga atleta na heroes, tinutulungan ng Chooks-to-Go, kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Boss Ronald na walang sawa sa pagsuporta sa mga atleta na nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa. Kaya hindi ko makakalimutan itong Chooks-to-Go dahil talagang malaking tulong ito sa pamilya ko.
“Tapos si Ma’am Lydia de Vega na nagkasakit, tinulungan din ng Chooks-to-Go. So ‘yong mga atleta na minsan nakakalimutan na, ‘andiyan pa rin ang Chooks-to-Go na tumutulong palagi. Kaya maraming salamat, Boss Ronald. Saludo po ako sa’yo.”
