IN A simple yet meaningful lunch held on Friday, August 20, 2021, at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite, renowned real estate developer Suntrust Properties, Inc., a subsidiary of Megaworld Corporation, officially confirmed their gift of a fully furnished residential condominium unit worth P10 million to Olympic Women’s Boxing Featherweight Division Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio.
The unit in One Lakeshore Drive is located in Lanang, Davao City, just over an hour away from Sta. Cruz, the Filipina boxer’s hometown. Suntrust president lawyer Harry Paltongan personally met the female boxer to award her with the gift.
“We recognize how she prepared for this victory--a long journey indeed. One full of sacrifices and frustrations, yet one where she never gave up. Our chairman, Dr. Andrew Tan, and his companies like ours, find fulfillment in supporting these hardworking achievers- especially those who bring honor to our country. It is our hope that this will inspire more people to dream more and pursue the same quest,” Paltongan said in a statement.
“We invited Nesthy to a special lunch because I wanted to personally assure her of our commitment to deliver her gift in due time. Construction of One Lakeshore Drive is still ongoing but I can attest that the waiting period will be worth it. Her unit will be on the top floor, and we will furnish it to her liking,” Paltongan added.
During the ceremony, Nesthy was also surprised by her family’s appearance via Zoom, together with the Suntrust Davao team. During the said Zoom video call, Paltongan offered the ceremonial letter of their gift. The Pinay boxer spent the afternoon golfing and driving a golf cart around the venue. Trece Martires Mayor Gemma Lubigan also attended and joined the special lunch with the company president and the Filipina boxer.
"Sobrang saya po ng experience ko today, especially sa surprise niyo po na nakausap ko ang family ko at nakapag-golf pa ako," the Pinay pride enthused.
The journey towards her Olympic medal was never easy, but Petecio has remained resilient for her family. “Merong times din na, na- depressed din po ako. Parang ayaw ko na, gusto ko ng sumuko. Pero sobrang galing ni Lord, kasi nagpadala po siya ng tao to remind me kung bakit ba ako nagpapakahirap, kung bakit ba nabuo ang mga pangarap ko. From there, binalikan ko po yung journey ko, yung hirap na pinagdaanan namin ng family ko,” Petecio shared.
The first Filipina boxer Olympic medalist vowed to provide her family with the best things in life, and said that all the blessings she is receiving today, she offers to her family. “Lahat ‘to para sa kanila. Hindi ko iniisip ang sarili ko. Sina mama, gusto ko maranasan nila na mapuntahan ang gusto nila puntahan. Makain ang gusto nila makain. Yung mga kapatid ko, ayaw kong maranasan nila yung naexperience ko dati na wala kaming makain.”
When asked about her plans for her future condo in Davao, she said, “Excited ako sa magiging reaksyon nina mama. Ako kasi, marami na akong napupuntahan, pero sila, hindi pa. Kaya excited talaga ako makita kung ano gagawin nila kapag naturn-over na ang condo. “
Nesthy Petecio recently brought home a silver medal from the Tokyo Olympics 2020 under the Women’s Boxing Featherweight Division.
The unit awarded to Nesthy is a 53.5-square-meter 1-bedroom condominium in One Lakeshore Drive inside the 11.2-hectare Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City. The residential enclave was recognized as "Highly Commended" for the Best Residential Development in Davao during the 2016 Philippines Property Awards.
Suntrust Properties, Inc. is an award-winning property development company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Megaworld Corporation, which also gave a residential condominium unit in Eastwood City to Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist. (PR)