Sen. Manny Pacquiao gave Hidilyn an ‘undisclosed’ cash incentive on her visi
Olympic Silver Medalist Hidilyn Diaz was given recognition and was honored during her visit in the Senate on Wednesday, August 17.
Hidilyn marked Philippine Olympic history for bagging a silver medal in women’s weightlifting in the Rio Olympic Games, ending the two-decades long medal drought for the country.
The 25-year-old Olympian is also the first woman and Mindanaoan who has brought a silver medal for the Philippines. Before Diaz, Negrense boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco was the last to bring home a silver medal after ranking second for men’s boxing in the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia.
Senate committee on sports chairman Manny Pacquiao gave the sponsorship speech to recognize and honor the Zamboangena weightlifter.
The weightlifting athlete also met Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao in his office, where the 8-division boxing champion rewarded Diaz with an undisclosed amount cash incentive.
Diaz has already received P7.5 million worth of incentives after winning the silver medal – P5 million from the government, two million from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, and P500,000 from the City of Zamboanga.
Diaz has said she plans to use part of the incentive to open a weightlifting gym in her hometown.
In an interview, Hidilyn said she wants the Filipino youth to have interest in her sport and inspire them to reach for the Olympic medal. She wants the gym to be a place where the aspiring weightlifters will be trained for all international tournaments, especially the Olympics.
Diaz bagged her first medal only in her third Olympic stint after lifting lots in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 Summer Games in London.
In an interview, she said God and her mother are her inspiration. Diaz’ mom celebrates birthday on August 8.
HIDILYN VERY WELL DESERVE ALL THE RECOGNITION AND AWARDS SHE RECEIVED . CONGRATULATIONS TO HER. THANKS TO EVERYONE IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR THEIR KIND GESTURE. LONG LIVE THE PHILIPPINES !!!!!