The new poster girl of Philippine sports is still a mommy’s girl at heart.
Filipina Olympian Hidilyn Diaz gave her mother the silver medal she won in the weightlifting competition (women’s 53 kg. class) at the Rio Games 2016 — her third Olympics trip after Beijing (2008) and London (2012).
Upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Thu, Aug 11, Hidilyn removed the medal from her neck and handed it to her mother, who celebrated her birthday on Aug 7.
What an awesome birthday gift from the 25-year-old!
“Yung nanay ko po kasi ka-close ko,” explained Hidilyn during her press conference. (I am close to my mother)
Hidilyn got a hero’s welcome upon returning home.
She received a PHP5-million monetary reward from the government and President Rodrigo Duterte said that he will add PHP2M more.
“It is with great pride that I present Hidilyn Diaz, a Zamboangueña. If we just put in the discipline and a little help from the national government, we’d get miracles and surprises along the way,” Duterte said said in a televised courtesy meeting with Hidilyn.
Hidilyn is the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal since Mansueto Velaso won a silver for boxing in 1996 — and he is still waiting for his PHP2.5-million cash reward.
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