This is the kind of encouragement that Filipino athletes need.
On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterete led the send off for Filipino olympians competing in Rio 2016
The celebration was held inside the Malacañan Palace. It was attended by the Philippine Olympic Comittee (POC) President Peping Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez and PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez.
In the photos, Duterte and the athletes were shown wearing a red jacket with a patch of the Philippine flag.
The important detail? Duterte announced that he will increase the allowance of the athletes to USD3,000 (previously USD1,000) and that of the officials to USD5,000 (previously USD3,000), Inquirer reports.
Here is a list of the athletes who are set to compete in the Olympics:
Boxing– Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez,
Track and field– Marie Joy Tabal, Marestella Torres and Eric Cray,
Weightlifting– Nestor Colonia and Hidilyn Diaz,
Golf– Miguel Tabuena
Table tennis– Ian Lariba
Taekwondo– Kirstine Elaine Alora
Swimming– Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Khing Lacuna.
Good luck!
