MANILA, Philippines - Home sweet home. Filipina Weightlifter and Olympic Silver Medalist, Hidilyn Diaz has finally arrived from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in the afternoon of Thursday, August 11.
At the very moment that Diaz has set her foot once again in her mother land, she felt like an instant celebrity as the NAIA personnel, government staff and fellow Filipinos have given her a sweet and proud hero's welcome.
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Hidilyn who gave the Philippines its first Olympic medal since Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco brought home the same feat 20 years ago, bannered her prestigious "golden" silver medal around her neck while proudly gesturing that the victory that she has won is for the filipino people.
Hours after her arrival, she flew straight to Davao City where she was scheduled to seek a courtesy meeting with President "Rodrigo" Rody Duterte who also congratulated her publicly after bagging the medal.
Hidilyn, along with her parents Eduardo and Emilita met the President at the Presidential rest house in Panacan, Davao City.The President proudly presented her in front of the media people. "It is with great pride that I present Hidilyn Diaz, a Zamboangueña," Duterte said. Diaz also made another Philippine history for being the first Olympic medalist from the Mindanao Province.
During the news conference, President Duterte handed the Php 5 Million check prize incentive to the lone Filipina Rio Olympics medalist. To the delight of the President, he promised to add Php 2 Million more to Diaz's prize money. "If we put just put in the discipline and a little help from the national government, we'd get miracles and surprises along the way," President Rody added.
At the very moment that Diaz has set her foot once again in her mother land, she felt like an instant celebrity as the NAIA personnel, government staff and fellow Filipinos have given her a sweet and proud hero's welcome.
RELATED STORY
Hidilyn who gave the Philippines its first Olympic medal since Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco brought home the same feat 20 years ago, bannered her prestigious "golden" silver medal around her neck while proudly gesturing that the victory that she has won is for the filipino people.
Hours after her arrival, she flew straight to Davao City where she was scheduled to seek a courtesy meeting with President "Rodrigo" Rody Duterte who also congratulated her publicly after bagging the medal.
Hidilyn, along with her parents Eduardo and Emilita met the President at the Presidential rest house in Panacan, Davao City.The President proudly presented her in front of the media people. "It is with great pride that I present Hidilyn Diaz, a Zamboangueña," Duterte said. Diaz also made another Philippine history for being the first Olympic medalist from the Mindanao Province.
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| Screenshot from RTVM video. |
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| Photo Credit: Rappler |
Couple of days ago, Sen. Manny Pacquiao also promised to give cash reward to Diaz out of his own pocket. Altough, Pacquiao didn’t mention the amount that he’s willing to hand to the Filipina Olympian. “Malaking karangalan para sa bansa ang ginawa ni Hidilyn Diaz at nararapat lamang na bigyan siya ng parangal at gantimpala,” Pacquiao uttered.
Earlier this week, Hidilyn shared her thoughts on her incentive. She will unselfishly donate part of her prize to help Filipino kids nurture their talents in sports specifically in weightlifting. Last night, she told the media that she plans to buy a lot near their house in Zamboanga to build a decent gym designed to train the Zamboangueno children who will potentially compete in international tournaments in the future.
Aside from the Php 7 Million cash incentive, Diaz will also be given house and lot by the government and retirement pension when she turns 60 years old. Tax exemption for her rewards is also being pushed in the senate now.
--Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
Earlier this week, Hidilyn shared her thoughts on her incentive. She will unselfishly donate part of her prize to help Filipino kids nurture their talents in sports specifically in weightlifting. Last night, she told the media that she plans to buy a lot near their house in Zamboanga to build a decent gym designed to train the Zamboangueno children who will potentially compete in international tournaments in the future.
Aside from the Php 7 Million cash incentive, Diaz will also be given house and lot by the government and retirement pension when she turns 60 years old. Tax exemption for her rewards is also being pushed in the senate now.
--Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
