The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Monday (Dec. 20) sent financial assistance to 10 surfers and their two coaches in Siargao and Olympic marathoner Mary Joy Tabal in Cebu – all of whom were affected by Typhoon Odette.
POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said financial support of P10,000 each was forwarded to the athletes and coaches, many of whom have yet to be heard from because communication lines remained down as of Monday.
Tabal is a native of Cebu City, one of the hardest-hit areas by the typhoon which ravaged much of the Visayas and parts of Mindanao last week.
Ten surfers and two coaches—both members of the national team—also experienced the same fate as Tabal, according to United Philippine Surfing Association President Dr. Jose Raul Canlas.
The Siargao-based national surfers, Canlas said, are John Matthew Carby (with wife and two kids), Manuel Melindo Jr. (with wife and two kids), John Mark Tokong (wife and with one kid), and Nilbie Blancada (with one baby) as well as Jevy Mae Agudo, Philmar Alipayo, Edito Alcala Jr., Eduardo Alciso, Kaikai Alcala (grassroots) and Noah Arkfeld (grassroots) and their respective families.
The coaches are John Matthew Carby (with wife and two kids) and Manuel Melindo Jr (with wife and two kids).
The POC and Canlas said it was only Carby who had access to communication.
“We hope to get in touch with the others the soonest possible time so we can further our assistance to them,” Tolentino said. “We’re hoping and praying that no other athletes or coaches have been severely affected by the typhoon.” (POC) – bny
