TWO-time Tour champion John Mark Galedo may have won just a single gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games, but he’s definitely the biggest winner among the 208-man Filipino athletes in Myanmar.
Aside from the P100,000 he received from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for his top podium finish in the men’s road race individual time trial event, the rider from Kalookan City was also gifted with a brand-new house and lot by his manager and longtime patron Engr. Bong Sual.
“Matagal ko nang pangako sa kanila yun na kapag naka-gold sila sa SEA Games, automatic house and lot ang ibibigay ko,” said Sual, the president of PMSons Construction firm that builds and maintains 7-11 stores in the country.
“Sa Indonesia pa lang noong 2011, hinamon ko na sa kanila yan. Gusto ko kasi ma-inspire sila na lalo pang pag-igihin ang pag-pedal sa bansa,” he added.
The incentive proved timely for Galedo as his wife Grace had just given birth, with the child’s baptism set on Sunday.
The title to the 90-square meter townhouse in Muntinlupa, which Galedo personally chose, has already been transferred to his name by Sual.
“Siya pinapili ko kung saan niya gusto tumira. Pinili niya sa Muntinlupa, `yung isa kasi sa Cavite eh. Pinili niya `yung Muntinlupa, mas malapit sa training camp niya,” Sual added.
Winner of the 2009 LPGMA Tour of Luzon and 2012 Ronda Pilipinas, Galedo expressed happiness over the support given to him and fellow Roadbike Philippines riders by Sual, who is also his wedding godfather.
“Masaya nga po ako kasi alam ko na talagang sa akin niya inuumang `yung bahay at lupa. Dati pa niya ako hinahamon,” said Galedo, who was also gifted with a brand-new motorcycle by Sual during his wedding.
“Basta ako naman, gagawin ko pa ang lahat ng makakaya ko para mas makapagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa. Yun naman ang pangarap sa akin ni ninong (Sual). Hindi ko siya bibiguin,” he added.
The 28-year-old pedal pusher is now preparing for his debut on Asia’s biggest cycling spectacle - the Tour De Langkawi in Malaysia on February.
Before his SEA Games gold medal feat, Galedo also brought glory to the country when he ruled the annual Pedal to the Metal Mountain climbing Challenge in Kaui, Hawaii last May.
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