After making Olympic history as the first Filipino to win a gold medal, it’s not farfetched to say that weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is now considered a national treasure. Of course, someone of her caliber bestowed that title aptly deserves to be showered with actual gifts, and with the sportsmanship and determination that Hidilyn’s demonstrated, along with the invaluable glory she’s brought to the country, private individuals and companies were more than happy to oblige.
Here are all the gifts Hidilyn Diaz will receive after her Olympic gold medal win:
Cash
Aside from the P10 million Hidilyn will receive as mandated by law, business tycoons Ramon Ang, Manny Pangilinan, and Deputy House Speaker Representative Mikee Romero have each pledged to reward the athlete with millions more in cash. Adding the P2.5 million promised by her hometown of Zamboanga, and the P5 million from Phoenix Petroleum chairman Dennis Uy, Hidilyn is expected to rake in P40.5 million for her groundbreaking achievement.
Lifetime Fuel
As a company that financially backed Hidilyn’s Tokyo 2020 bid, Phoenix Petroleum isn’t just offering the Olympian money, they’ve also promised her a lifetime of free fuel. “From fueling the dream, we now hope to fuel the inspiration with this sponsorship,” Atty. Raymond Zorrilla, senior vice president for External Affairs of Phoenix Petroleum, told media on July 27. “Our hope is that: this is only the beginning of a golden era for Philippine sports and that more entities from all sectors extend support so we can have more golds in the future.”
Beauty Products
Filipino-owned Ever Bilena Cosmetics is celebrating Hidilyn’s win by rewarding her with P1 million worth of EBCI products. “We are very proud of Hidilyn's gold medal in the recent Tokyo Olympics. We hope that this will inspire all other Filipino athletes to work hard and push their limits. Together, nothing is impossible!" wrote EB’s CEO and President Dioceldo Sy in a statement.
Likewise, the L’Oreal Group is also offering Hidilyn, and her fellow Filipina Olympians competing at Tokyo 2020, beauty services and products worth P2 million. P600,000 will be allocated to the products of their choice from brands like L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline, Kiehl’s, Garnier, Kérastase, and L’Oréal Professionnel, while the team may collectively avail of a beauty package worth P1.4 million.
Free Flights for Life
Imagine getting to travel the world whenever you want, free of charge. Only Hidilyn can relate. Deemed as Philippine Airlines’ first “forever flyer,” the athlete can now enjoy 80,000 free miles from the airline every year, for the rest of her life!
Jealous already? Well, AirAsia took it up a notch by promising Hidilyn a whole lifetime of free flights aboard their planes! “We want all Asean to believe that they can always make it happen. Amidst challenges and struggles as we go forth with recovery, Hidilyn reminds us that no matter how heavy the weight we are carrying, inner strength, perseverance, and a heart of gold will help us power through,” said AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson Steve Dailisan in a statement.
Meanwhile, each member of the Philippine team will receive 25 free flights from Cebu Pacific. As per the airline, "These tickets may be used for any domestic and short haul destination in the Cebu Pacific network. Each awarded athlete may choose to use these for themselves, or share with the rest of their teammates, families – practically anyone in their support system."
Free Food
Hidilyn isn't just looking at a lifetime of free flights, she can also indulge herself to all the food she can eat as select restaurants have announced they're offering the champion free food on their menu for life! Among the list includes Kitchen Jones in her hometown of Zamboanga, Kanto Freestyle Breakfast, Burger Garage, Tipsy Pig Gastropub, and Korean barbecue joint Yumgyeopsal.
Residential Properties
Once she’s all settled again in the country, Hidilyn might just have a difficult time choosing her new home as she’s being offered not just two, but three residential properties by different companies. There’s a P14 million condo in Eastwood as gifted by Megaworld Coporation, a house and lot in Tagaytay as mentioned by Philippine Olympic Committee president and Rep. Abraham Tolentino, and a P4 million house and lot from Century Properties.
A new car
But wait, there’s more! Vehicle manufacturer Foton Motor Philippines has mentioned in a statement they’re set to gift Hidilyn a new van for her extraordinary achievement. “Filipino pride stands high in front of an international audience with the triumph of our Filipino athlete, Hidilyn Diaz,” said FMPI President Rommel Sytin. “As she drives home glory, we are honored to prize her utmost dedication with the top-rated mobility of our Foton TransVan 13-seater”
A monument
The cherry on top of everything, Hidilyn’s name won’t just be cemented in history books, her image will be memorialized with a statue, too! In a radio interview, Zamboanga City councilor Elbert Atilano revealed that there are already plans to erect a concrete monument of the weightlifter in front of the city’s Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.
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