Two-time Olympian and Asia’s former sprint queen Lydia De Vega-Mercado on Wednesday received another boost in her gallant battle with the dreaded Big C.
Thanks to Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas, the family of track and field icon received financial assistance amounting to P250,000 which they can use to pay for the mounting hospital bills.
De Vega-Mercado, 57, is currently in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery earlier this month.
“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.
“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.”
