Local Roasted Chicken Chain Gifts Another Filipino Olympian Own Business

The Philippines’ success at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics extends to its coaches.

Roel Velasco served as one of the coaches of the Philippine national boxing team in the recently-concluded Summer Olympics, a collective that brought home four medals in total, featuring the country’s first-ever gold medal in weightlifting.

Velasco himself was a medalist at the 1992 Summer Olympics but was forced to take home the bronze medal when he was stopped in the semifinals by eventual gold medalist Rogelio Marcelo of Cuba after sustaining a cut.

The loss understandably stung Velasco, and it has haunted him ever since.

“Sometimes, you just have to wonder. If I had won, I would have been the one standing there at the top of the podium. Regardless, though, I’m happy with what I got,” said Velasco, translated from the local language.

In recognition of his efforts and past achievements, A Filipino roasted chicken business named "Chooks-to-Go" gifted him his own store, similar to younger brother Mansueto--otherwise known as “Onyok”.

Company president Ronald Mascariñas chose to honor older brother Roel for being a “loyal soldier” to the country.

“What astonished me about Roel is that he is a loyal soldier to the country. Though it’s been 29 years since his feat in Barcelona, his legacy continues to live on in our boxers today,” said Mascariñas.

“For years, he and his brother Boy have been identifying, grooming, and developing our boxers. And with their help, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam were able to win silver in Tokyo, while Eumir Marcial won bronze in a stacked middleweight division.”

Philippines' Eumir Marcial (blue) celebrates after winning by KO against Armenia's Arman Darchinyan during their men's middle (69-75kg) quarter-final boxing match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo on August 1, 2021. Photo: Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images

Velasco is the third ex-Olympian from the Philippines to receive support from the local roasted chicken business after brother "Onyok" and 1988 Olympic bronze medalist Leopoldo Serantes, who received a monthly allowance of $2000.