Weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz paid a virtual courtesy call on President Rodrigo Duterte just a few minutes after her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Wednesday (July 28).
In their virtual meeting, the President said Diaz will receive the Presidential Medal of Merit, P3 million from the Office of the President, and a fully-furnished house and lot in Zamboanga.
“You will have one of the highest of the nation’s presidential medals – the Presidential Medal of Merit… In addition to what the law gives to you… P3 million galing sa akin, P10 million galing sa gobyerno talaga,” Duterte said.
President Duterte personally conveyed his congratulations to the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist and the newly-promoted Philippine Air Force staff sergeant.
“The nation is ecstatic about your achievement. Your achievement is the achievement of the Philippine nation. We cannot express even in the words of an athlete how we should really be shouting hallelujah,” the President said.
The President acknowledged the hard work and dedication Diaz has poured over her years of training.
“Salamat naman sa pagtiis. I hope that the years of toil, the years of disappointments, and the years na hindi maganda nangyari in the past, just forget them,” he said.
He added, “You already have the gold. Gold is gold. And it would be good for you to just let bygones be bygones, and dwell solely on your victory, together with your family, and of course, with the nation.”
During the meeting, Diaz was wearing her military uniform and made a formal salute to her Commander-in-Chief.
Also present at the courtesy call was the former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr. who said that Diaz represents the glory of the AFP and the Department of National Defense.
“Your contribution to national pride will be forever remembered and cherished,” Galvez said.
According to Executive Order No. 236, series of 2003, the Presidential Medal of Merit is a recognition given by the government “for gaining prestige for the country in an international event, in the fields of literature, the sciences, the arts, entertainment, and other civilian fields of endeavor that foster national pride and artistic excellence.”
Diaz landed at the NAIA around 5:00 p.m. today, aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR427.
Among those who personally welcomed Diaz were Interior Sec. Eduardo Año and Philippine Air Force Commander General Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes.
Hidilyn came home with her head coach Gao Kaiwen, strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo, nutritionist Jeaneth Aro, and sports psychologist Karen Trinidad.
Diaz bested eight weightlifters in the 55 kilogram women’s weightlifting competition in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Monday (July 26). – Report from Ryan Lesigues / CF – jlo
