Hidilyn Diaz’s epic win at the Tokyo Olympics, which marks the end of the Philippines’ 97-year search for its elusive, first-ever Olympic gold, is indeed a moment in time where all Filipinos have united under one banner, regardless of all differences.
Across all platforms of social media, Filipinos from all walks of life have been rejoicing ever since Diaz lifted her dumbbells to the Philippines’ victory. Fellow Tokyo Olympics athletes, the Malacañang Palace, Vice President Leni Robredo, Pia Wurtzbach, as well as Twitter netizens, are among the people who have celebrated with Diaz on her win.
Image credit: @eumirmarcial
Boxer Eumir Marcial, who’s also with Diaz in Japan, posted on his Instagram account a photo of him and Diaz, captioning it with the message: “Speechless ako ngayon sa sobrang saya. (I’m so happy I’m speechless.)”
Image credit: @margielyndidal
Skateboarder Margielyn Didal, who finished her Olympic quest as a 7th place finalist, also sent in her congratulations through her Instagram story.
Image credit: Harry Roque
Speaking on behalf of Malacañang Palace, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque congratulated the gold medalist “for bringing pride and glory to the Philippines for winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.”
Image credit: Leni Gerona Robredo
Vice President Leni Robredo, aside from acknowledging Diaz’s big win, also emphasized that the weightlifter has beaten all the odds to win despite growing up with only two cans of milk as her dumbbells.
“Dahil wala naman silang pera pambayad sa training, nag ensayo siya sa likod lang ng bahay nila, gamit ang dalawang lata ng gatas na pinagkabit ng kahoy,” the Vice President said.
This can be translated as: “Because [her family] didn’t have the money to pay for her training, she practiced at the back of their house using two cans of milk connected by a piece of wood.”
Image credit: @PiaWurtzbach
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, who had also made the whole of Philippines proud during her victory at the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world six years ago, recognized in her tweet that the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal is being brought home by a woman.
“Our first ever GOLD OLYMPIC MEDAL brought home by a strong and amazing woman!! Thank you, Hidilyn Diaz! We are so proud of you! Congratulations!!” Wurtzbach wrote.
Image credit: @zekemartinx
For Twitter user @zekemartinx, Diaz’s win did not come easily, given that she had to ask for financial help on her way to the Olympics.
It’s really going to take a while before all this settles in, but for now, huge congratulations to Hidilyn Diaz, a Filipina who gave us a taste of our first-ever Olympic gold medal!
Winning gold for your country after almost a century is no easy feat in itself, but Diaz was able to do it despite the additional challenges that had come her way while preparing for her lifetime dream.
We’re so proud of Diaz, and may her win be an inspiration for many, especially for young women.
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Cover image adapted from: @hidilyndiaz, @PiaWurtzbach, Leni Gerona Robredo, and @zekemartinx
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