The total cash incentive of the Filipino wushu medalists in the Beijing Olympic Games reached 9.5 million pesos (US$203,000) after a leading beverage and food company gave 1 million-peso (US$21,400) bonus on Wednesday.

San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang handed a blue paper bag full of 1 million-peso cash to gold medalist Willy Wang, silver winner Mary Jane Estimar and bronze medalists Benjie Rivera and Marianne Mariano, the Philippine News Agency reported.

"We thank sports partner San Miguel Corporation for giving incentive to our Olympic wushu winners," said First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, who witnessed the presentation on Wednesday.

The First Gentleman, as honorary chairman of wushu federation, has also given a 1 million-peso incentive to the medalists.

Last Friday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rewarded the wushu athletes with 7 million pesos (US$150,000) as cash incentive for winning medals from the Olympic demonstration sport.

The country's 15 athletes failed to win any medal from regular Olympic sports in the world's most prestigious sports event. It was the third straight Olympics that the Philippines went home empty-handed or since boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco handed the country its only second silver medal in 1996 Atlanta Olympics, according to the report.

The Philippines has not yet won Olympic gold since it competed in Paris 1924 Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2008)