Hidilyn Diaz, Rio 2016 Filipino Pride!

Photo Courtesy: Lars Baron/ Getty Images

"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa warm welcome ninyo sa akin.
Sa pagkapanalo ko pong ito pinakita lang po natin na kaya nating lumaban sa ibang bansa. Kaya nating lumaban sa olympics."

This was Hidilyn Diaz message in a short briefing after she arrived from
Brazil.
Hidilyn was a silver medalists in weightlifting held in Rio De Janeiro olympics in Brazil,
last 8th of August 2016.

Her winning brought honor to the country after 2 decades, the last silver medalist
was  Monsueto"Onyok "Velasco, and this was through boxing.

Hidilyn added that her victory was a birthday gift to her Mom, who just celebrated her
last 7th of August.

"Parang ayoko ng magretire, parang ngayon pa lang nami-miss ko na nag pagbubuhat."

Hidilyn added and also promised a sure win upon her next olympic fight in Tokyo in 2020.

"Hindi na ako papayag na silver na. Gusto ko gold na. Pipilitin ko po."

Upon winning Hidilyn promised to herself that she will soon buy a land and
built a gym in Zamboanga. This is to help youth to become an olympian and medalists like her.

Hidilyn's greatest motto in life is to..."Believe in yourself."

Hidilyn recalled how she found out, she was a silver medalist winner.

"Bronze lang po masaya na 'ko. Tas nag-pray ako sa corner pinapraise ko na si God.
After nun pagka-praised ko, nakita ko na yung Korean weighlifter and Korean group...nagsasaya na
sila at tumatalon.
Ang sabi ko, ha bakit sila tumatalon?
Tapos biglang sinabi sa akin ng Taiwanese coach na sabi niya..."You're second."
Sabi ko..."WHAT? Second ako?! "
Yun ang saya ko po. "Sabi ko wow ang bait ni God, God is good talaga!"

Hidily also added...

"Masaya po, pero yung sa akin kasi hindi ako humahabol sa ganun kalaking pera.
Ang sa akin lang mairepresenta ko lang yung Pilipinas sa Olympics. Tapos mapanalunan ko.
masaya na po ako."

courtesy: www.rappler.com

From Davao Airport, Hidilyn went to see President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte gave P2 Million on top of P5 Million as incentive under the National Athletes
and Coaches benefits and incentives act.

"Medyo kulang. Dinagdagan ko to encourage people also after a long and hard training.
Merong kang maigbigay at meron silang nakuha sa kanilang pagod.
Honor is not easy to get by."

Prseident Duterte uttered upon seeing Hidilyn and after giving honor to the Philippines.

Hidilyn is the first Filipina and Mindanaoan to win an olympic medal.
She finished second in the 53 Kilogram category of women's weighlifting.

Hidilyn was also given a P500 thousand cheque from the government of Zamboanga City Hall.

Not only that, she was promoted as Airwoman 2nd class last 18th of August by the Philippine Airforce.

Hidilyn also left us a words of encouragement...

"Nakaya ko, napanalunan ko 'to, so kaya nyo din. Kaya ninyong umahon sa buhay, kaya ninyong
umahon sa buhay."

Photo courtesy: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net