BAGUIO CITY – The city government recognized veteran athlete, retired Police Maj. Erlinda Lavandia, for her fete in the recently concluded Southeast Asia Masters Athletics championship held in Singapore last May 3-5, 2019.
See story: Lavandia strikes again
Lavandia was one the athletes representing the Philippines in the prestigious international competition where she was judged as the best female athlete after winning 4 gold medals in the field events of the competition.
Outgoing Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan underscored the achievement of Lavandia brought honor and pride to the people and officialdom of the city when the Baguio-based athlete grabbed the limelight in one of the prestigious international competitions for veteran athletes from different countries of Southeast Asia.
Lavandia won the gold medals in the javelin throw, discuss throw, shot put and hammer throw accounted for 4 of the 6 gold medals brought home by Filipino athletes placing the country second place in the said competition.
She was one of the veteran athletes in the country’s delegation from the National Masters and Seniors Athletics Association of the Philippines.
The international event was the showcase for track and field championships for thousands of veteran athletes from the different parts of Southeast Asia.
Lavandia will be receiving from the local government a total of P120,000 or P30,000 for each of the gold medals that she garnered from the international athletics competition as her cash incentive pursuant to the updated sports incentives ordinance of the city.
Domogan urged the 67-year old Lavandia to continue serving as an inspiration to the city’s athletes for them to continue representing Baguio City and bring honor and pride to the country’s Summer Capital and making it one of the sources of future athletes that can represent the country in local, regional, national and international competitions.
Under the city’s sports incentives ordinance, local athletes representing the city in local, regional, national and international sports competitions will receive incentives corresponding to the medals they won.
Lavandia has been a consistent medal hauler not only for the city but also the country in previous local, regional and international athletic competitions, especially in her specialized field events, mastering the same even when she was in the active service as a member of the Baguio city Police Office.
Domogan encouraged Lavandia to share her expertise in the field events to upcoming athletes for them to replicate her achievements being a bemedalled athlete even as a senior citizen as the active participation of the youth in sports can help the youth in avoiding possible involvement in illegal activities that may compromise their future.
He challenged the city’s youth, especially the sports enthusiasts, to emulate the achievements of bemedalled athletes from the city for them to succeed in their endeavours to become one of the top athletes in their chosen fields.
By Dexter A. See
Banner photo: VAST INCENTIVES – Baguio City officials headed by outgoing City Mayor Mauricio Domogan honor bemedalled retired Police Major Erlinda Lavandia during the May 20, 2019 City hall flag raising ceremonies for winning four gold medals in the SEA Athletic Championships.(female senior event categories). P/MAJ Lavandia will receive a total amount of Php 120,000 cash incentive from the city government of Baguio. Also in photo are outgoing City Councilors Edgar Avila, Leandro Yangot Jr and Elmer Datuin, and re-elected City Councilor Benny Bomogao, Elaine Sembrano. Lilia Farinas and Mylen Yaranon. Photo by Bong Cayabyab
