National boxing coach Roel Velasco has recently received his own Chooks-to-Go store as a sign of appreciation for his efforts to help grow the amateur sport in the country.

Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas said Velasco, who also won the 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medal, is among those coaches instrumental in helping identify, groom and develop boxers such as Tokyo Olympics winners Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial.

"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,” Mascariñas said.

"What astonished me about Roel (Velasco) 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.”

Mascariñas has earlier given Velasco’s younger brother, Onyok, his own Chooks-to-Go store for also honoring the latter’s silver-medal feat at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Velasco expressed his gratitude to Mascariñas,

“Kahit na matagal na panahon na ang nakalilipas, ikaw lang ang nakaalala sa atletang Pilipino na nagbigay ng parangal sa Olympiada at sa mga lahat ng mamamayan na nangangailangan ng tulong mo, nandiyan ka para tumulong at sumuporta,” he said.

Earlier this week, Chooks-to-Go also rewarded 1988 Seoul Olympics bronze medalist Leopoldo Serantes a monthly allowance of P100,000.