Rewarding Hidilyn’s Sacrifice

Hidilyn Diaz’ historic gold medal winning lift (127 kg). Tokyo 2020 Olympics, July 27, 2021. Photo from One Sports Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ln2X6yA5iQ

Written by

Jude Bautista

Two hours after Greece, (first country in the presentation of nations), the Philippine contingent finally appeared at the opening of the Tokyo Olympics. Then came a Sportscaster’s live comment “The Philippines holds the dubious record of most Olympic medals without a gold,”. That was how we distinguished ourselves. A little bit hurtful on his part.

Eumir Marcial and Kiyomi Watanabe were PHL flag bearers at the Opening ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, July 23, 2021. Photo from Tokyo Olympics Opening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHTMVw0s9wQ&t=7821s

But Hidilyn Diaz changed all that, breaking 97 years of participation without a gold medal. Because of Hidilyn we can throw it to his face: NOT ANYMORE, Mr. Unnamed – Can’t Think of Anything Better to Say – Sportscaster, NOT ANYMORE!

Co Pinay Olympian – Akiko Thomson-Guevarra made note, “Of all the Filipinos, it was a woman who won the first gold! I’m proud of that!”. From ANC show AFTER THE FACT.

Hidilyn Diaz’ historic gold medal winning lift (127 kg). Tokyo 2020 Olympics, July 27, 2021. Photo from One Sports Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ln2X6yA5iQ

We’re not done yet! As of writing boxers Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam have advanced to quarterfinals and are all assured of at least a bronze finish. Obviously they’re all going for the gold.

Let’s not forget to support ALL our Pinoy Olympians even after their stint:

Eireen Ando (Weightlifting), Kurt Barbosa (Taekwondo), Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting), Margielyn Didal (Skateboarding), Luke Gebbie (Swimming), Kristina Knott (Track and Field-200m), Eumir Marcial (Boxing), Irish Magno (Boxing), Cris Nievarez (Rowing-single sculls), EJ Obiena (Pole Vault), Carlo Paalam (Boxing), Bianca Pagdanganan (Golf), Juvic Pagunsan (Golf), Nesthy Petecio (Boxing), Remedy Rule (Swimming), Yuka Saso (Golf), Jayson Valdez (Sports Shooting), Kiyomi Watanabe (Judo) and Carlos Yulo (Gymnastics).

Eumir Felix Marcial PHI KO’s Mohd Aswan Che Azmi MAS, Men’s middleweight 75kg boxing, 30th SEA Games, PICC Forum, Pasay City, Metro Manila December 6, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista
https://judebphoto.wordpress.com/2019/12/09/thank-you-george-and-hazel/

Every one of them have already won gold in other major international tourneys Asian Games, SEA Games, etc. Several like Margielyn Didal and Yuka Saso can certainly make it to future Olympics as well.

To this end I’d like to acknowledge Agatha Wong who has consistently won gold in successive SEA Games competitions (for Wu Shu). The last one being 2019. I couldn’t forget her performance at the World Trade Center in Pasay. And the fact her competitors were asking to have a picture with her. It reminded me of basketball players asking for autographs of the original Dream Team. Which was composed of legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird (‘92 Olympics).

Agatha Wong (PHI) won gold (her second for the tourney) at the Women’s Taijijan in Wushu 30th SEA Games, December 3, 2019 at the World Trade Center in Pasay city, Metro Manila. Photo by Jude Bautista
https://judebphoto.wordpress.com/2019/12/09/thank-you-george-and-hazel/

Perseverance

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque correctly identified Hidilyn as representative of our people. By now everyone is familiar with her story, rising through poverty in Zamboanga. Overcoming challenges through years of hard work and sacrifice for her sport. Persevering for decades, doing the work that needs to be done without fanfare.

His Excellency Pres. Duterte welcomed Hidilyn Diaz via virtual meeting in Malacañang aired live July 28, 2021. Photo from Courtesy call Pres. ABS CBN video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UVgRUqrEN8

Now, our nation is reaping the rewards. Upon her return, Pres. Duterte promised her P3 million cash prize from his own personal funds on top of the government’s P10 million incentive. Plus a fully furnished house and lot in Zamboanga.

In a way PAL (Philippine Airlines) has been doing the same thing of persevering through the chaos and difficulty of the COVID era. They’ve delivered and distributed tens of thousands of vaccines across the country, from Davao to the South and Baguio to the North. Every other country in the world has funded and assisted their airlines. PAL has not received any funding to this day, the second year of the pandemic.

March 5, 2021: Philippine Airlines carried out the second wave of airlifting vaccines to more cities in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. PAL is honored to be of service to the Philippines as the government and health care sectors fight the pandemic via a nationwide vaccination program. Photo Source:
Official PAL fb: https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

Governments around the globe have poured billions of dollars to their respective airlines. This is to ensure the vital transport infrastructure is fully functioning in a time when it is needed the most. The French government along with EU, for example, have funneled €15 billion Euros not just in Air France-KLM but to plane manufacturer AIRBUS. From NYTimes: France’s Aerospace Industry to get $17 Billion in Govt Support

And sadly, our own airlines PAL and CEBU PACIFIC have not been supported by our economic managers. Finance Secretary Dominguez hinted of possible solutions, mid 2020 but has not come to fruition to this day. As a result, thousands of people have been laid off from both airlines since last year.

March 13, 2021: CEBU PACIFIC continues to safely transport vaccines across the Philippines, with its second batch of deliveries to Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this week.
These vaccines were handled with the highest precision to ensure they reach the destinations safely. CEB will continue to do its utmost in ensuring the successful rollout of the Philippines’ vaccination program. Learn more: bit.ly/CEB2ndVaccineDelivery
Fly safely, travel responsibly. Here’s to #MoreSmilesAhead with everyJuan!
Photo from Cebu Pacific fb
https://www.facebook.com/cebupacificairphilippines

In spite of this, both PAL and CEBU PACIFIC continue to fulfill their extremely vital role in helping our kababayan here and abroad. Apart from distributing vaccines PAL recently transported our stranded OFW heroes from Oman to Manila last July 26, 2021.

“The increased number of stranded OFWs in the country prompted our Embassy in Muscat, Oman to request for a chartered repatriation flight,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said. From Philstar: DFA repatriates 345 Filipinos previously stranded in Oman

PR8652/8653 crew upon their arrival at Muscat International Airport in Oman, July 26, 2021.
Photo from PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

Forever Flyer

The dire situation of the airlines makes the rewards they were able to give Hidilyn even more remarkable. It follows the long tradition of Lucio Tan supporting our athletes as early as the 70s and 80s. PAL declared Hidilyn the first FOREVER FLYER, which entitles her to 80,000 free miles per year, for life.

Hidilyn Diaz with Captain Stanley Ng, PAL SVP – Airline Operations;
Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz is our first Forever Flyer! She will receive 80,000 miles every year, for life! July 28, 2021. Photo from PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

For a clearer perspective: “The free flight miles will allow at least three round-trip flights between Manila and Zamboanga under business class, or five times if she chooses to fly economy, in a year. Internationally, the airline perk will allow Diaz to have a free round-trip business class flight from Manila to Australia per year. With Diaz being PAL’s first Forever Flyer, the flag carrier said it will roll out the program in the coming months for other travelers to “fly for life.” From Rappler: PAL rewards Hidilyn Diaz with flight miles for life

Photo from Cebu Pacific fb:
https://www.facebook.com/cebupacificairphilippines/

Not to be outdone CEBU PACIFIC expanded the free flights to the whole Pinoy Olympic squad. Following the theme of supporting more athletes, whether bemedaled or not.

“Every athlete who represented the country in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 will earn 25 free flights from Asia’s oldest low-cost airline to celebrate their efforts and heroic feats.

CEBU PACIFIC made the announcement on Friday and said that the Philippine delegation can also share the benefit with the rest of their teammates, families and “practically anyone in their support system.” From Interaksyon: Hidilyn Diaz and Filipino Olympians all treated to free flights

Photo from Cebu Pacific fb:
https://www.facebook.com/cebupacificairphilippines/

Patrons of Sport

Lucio Tan rewarded Filipino athletes decades ago with cash prizes for gold medals. His example was followed by other giants of industry. The late Danding Cojuangco’s leadership achieved success in basketball internationally. The 1985 FIBA Asian Games championship has not been replicated, since then.

PAL Chairman & CEO Dr. Lucio Tan on the cover of People Asia Magazine, March 2016. Photo from PAL website:
https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/AboutUs/flypal4stars

Manny V. Pangilinan, expanded the role of the industrialist, not just as financier but as organizer. He devoted his managerial genius to Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas, many other sport organizations.

The MVP Sports Foundation has been credited in helping fund the preparations of a dozen of our current Olympians. Most notably are Hidilyn Diaz, our boxers Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial and gymnast Carlo Yulo.

From left: Nesty Petecio, MVPSF Chairman and Trustee Manny V. Pangilinan and Carlos Yulo.
Oct 16, 2019 After receiving incentives from President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine Sports Commission, MVPSF Chairman and Trustee Manny V. Pangilinan also rewarded boxer Nesthy Petecio and gymnast Carlos Yulo with P1 million pesos each for bringing us home gold medals. Yulo earned PHL’s first gold in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Germany Oct 12, 2019. Nesthy earned gold in the featherweight division of the 2019 AIBA Women’s Boxing World Championships in Russia, October 13, 2019.
Photo from MVP Sports Foundation website
https://mvpsf.ph/

Remember, this is prior to the P15 million MVP promised any Pinoy Olympic Gold medal winner. Which was also matched by Ramon S. Ang. The nation is now reaping the seeds these men have planted, nurtured by their generosity and foresight.

(15) from left : PLDT CEO Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Hidilyn Diaz, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella and MVP Sports Foundation Executive Director Ryan Gregorio. Photo from MVP Sports Foundation website
https://mvpsf.ph/

Hidilyn credited the support of MVP Foundation also to ANC’s AFTER THE FACT host Karmina Constantino. In a previous episode, they hosted Philippine Olympian Association President Akiko Thomson-Guevarra and Treasurer Stephen Fernandez. Steph as he is more popularly known was our Taekwondo silver medalist in the 1992 Olympics. He revealed that Hidilyn is studiously pursuing a Sports Management degree in COLLEGE OF SAINT BENILDE from a Scholarship offered by the institution.

The Matrix Reloaded

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief when President Duterte himself, asked Hidilyn Diaz to “Let bygones be bygones”. He was referring to the erroneous sedition matrix presented by then Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo. It named Hidilyn Diaz (along with volleyball star Gretchen Ho) as part of an ouster plot against the government in 2019.

No less than the President recognized the implausibility of the matrix by doing so. This was following a demand from Senator Richard Gordon that Panelo apologize to Diaz for besmirching her reputation. The people appreciated the candor and magnanimity of the President by making the televised statement.

Now, we’re all hoping the president has ‘seen the light’ so to speak. In seeing the inaccuracy and or incompetence of his underlings. Maybe he could extend the “Let bygones be bygones” statement to others who are also falsely accused, including Gretchen Ho and many others.

Celebs like Gretchen Ho of GAMEDAY WEEKEND enjoyed BARRE YOGA by PLANA FORMA. RXN FIT FEST was held at the SMX Convention Center last Nov 14, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
https://judebautista.wordpress.com/2015/11/18/rxn-fit-fests-plana-forma-attack/

Namely Liza Soberano, Angel Locsin, two very popular actresses who have lent their time and effort to support countless charities. Both were accused of being Communist sympathizers or rebels themselves. Even Ana Patricia Non who organized the MAGINHAWA COMMUNITY PANTRY has also been accused of the same.

from left: Liza Soberano and Angel Locsin.
Photo from Liza Soberano official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/LizaSoberano.abscbn/?ref=page_internal

What binds Soberano, Locsin and Ana Patricia Non is their strong advocacy of helping thousands of their downtrodden countrymen. Patricia’s organization has started a trend of providing free groceries, food items, fresh vegetables which has been replicated in many barangays across the country. She has been receiving multiple death and rape threats as well, preventing her from providing much needed help in this time of crisis.

Pres. Duterte’s endorsement or statement of support to these three would go a long way, in helping them and by extension helping thousands more in desperate need.

(20) Left: Angel Locsin protests against Asian Hate, Right: Ana Patricia Non started a trend of providing free food through community pantries.

There’s Still Time

Connected to this (again) is the incompetence of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez for failing to recognize the urgency of assisting the airline industry. IF the government claims it simply does not have the financial resources to help alleviate their losses, there are many alternatives. One of which is being a guarantor to loans, OR even Tax breaks to help recoup losses, somehow.

PAL recently transported our stranded OFW heroes from Oman to Manila last July 26, 2021
Photo from PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

There are different ways the government can help the ailing but extremely vital airline industry. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that we’re an archipelago made of 7,100 plus islands.

Losing our airlines or diminishing their routes (which has already happened), is a transport crisis by itself. Problem is, Dominguez and other economic managers simply refuse to do anything about it. Although this is his last year in office, President Duterte still has the time, he still has the decisiveness to avert this disaster.

Photo from PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

(23) Hidilyn Diaz with Julius Naranjo – boyfriend, Strength and Conditioning Coach. Photo from PAL fb:
https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

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