The Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) on Monday said Nievarez received the incentive from the lawmakers at the PRA Headquarters in La Mesa Dam, Quezon City.

“Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa tulong na binigay nina Congressman GP at Congresswoman Helen. Ngayon po mas lalo ko pa gagalingan para sa Olympics,” Nievarez expressed.

Shirley Nievarez, Cris’ mother, also expressed thanks to the lawmakers who fulfilled her son’s dream—the journey towards the Olympics.

“Sobrang napakalaking tulong nito sa aming pamilya, lalo na ngayon na sobrang hirap kami sa buhay,” Shirley said.

Aside from giving a cash incentive, Congresswoman Tan has also vowed to extend whatever assistance Nievarez will need in his preparation for the Olympics.

Tan shared that she did not hesitate to help Nievarez in his Olympic journey as the Filipino rower reminds her of her humble beginnings.

“Chris and I came from poor families. But through faith, hard work, and commitment to excellence, we both overcame the odds and won,” Tan expressed of Niervarez. 

“May the determination and resilience of our new Olympic idol despite the many setbacks serve as inspiration for the younger athletes to strive better and for all Filipinos to never give up”, she explained.

“Galing sa Puso ang tulong na binibigay ko kay Cris. Magandang sport itong rowing. Dapat suportahan natin,” said Padiernos.

The PRA also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Congressman GP and Congresswoman Tan for the support it extended to Cris and the sports organization.

“We hope that this much-needed financial boost will inspire our 20-year-old Filipino rower to stay focused on training and to keep himself competition-ready for the Tokyo Olympics. With the help of the government and private individuals, we want to keep this momentum going and move a step closer in promoting the sports of rowing in the country,” PRA President Pato Gregorio said.

The 2019 gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games, Niervarez will compete in the men’s single sculls in Tokyo this July, becoming the eighth Filipino athlete to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and the first rower in 21 years since Benjie Tolentino in 2000 Sydney.