(L-R) Angel Locsin, Hidilyn Diaz and Janine Gutierrez. Image: Instagram/@therealangellocsin, @hidilyndiaz, @janinegutierrez
Angel Locsin, Janine Gutierrez and their fellow celebrities congratulated Filipino Olympian Hidilyn Diaz after she bagged the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines yesterday, July 26.
Diaz ended the Philippines’ drought for a gold medal since it began participating in the Olympic Games in 1924. She delivered the historic win by lifting a total of 224 kilograms, beating China’s world record holder Liao Quiyun.
Locsin congratulated Diaz for her achievement while showing a throwback photo with the athlete on her Instagram page, also yesterday.
“Sana makapagpa-picture uli ako sayo. Saludo, @hidilyndiaz,” the actress told the Olympian. (I hope I can take another picture with you. Salute, Hidilyn Diaz.)
Meanwhile, Gutierrez described Diaz as a “hero,” with her victory coming right after President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his last State of the Nation Address, which drew flak from critics for its “inaccuracies and misleading information,” among others.
“Hidilyn Diaz winning the first-ever gold medal for the Philippines is the hero we need on SONA day,” she said through her Twitter page on the same day.
Hidilyn Diaz winning the first ever gold medal for the Philippines is the hero we need on SONA day
— nini (@janinegutierrez) July 26, 2021
For her part, actress Anne Curtis thanked Diaz for “sparking a fire” in young women and children, as seen on her Twitter page, also yesterday.
“What a proud moment for the Philippines! Thank you Hidilyn Diaz,” she said. “First place medal I’m sure you’ve sparked a fire in little girls, in fact, in all children across the country that with hard work [and] dedication they can fulfill their biggest dreams!”
Nakakaiyak! What a proud moment for the Philippines! Thank you @diaz_hidilyn 🥇 I’m sure you’ve sparked a fire in little girls, in fact, in all children across the country that with hard work & dedication they can fulfill their biggest dreams! MARAMING SALAMAT 🇵🇭 https://t.co/fngaqBWmaj
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) July 26, 2021
Actor Enchong Dee also applauded Diaz through his Twitter and Instagram pages yesterday. He added that the athlete will now be “forever honored” in the country’s history.
“Maraming maraming salamat, Hidilyn,” he greeted Diaz. “History will forever honor you. The whole country applauds you. Sobrang saya ko!”
(Thank you so much, Hidilyn. History will forever honor you. The whole country applauds you. I am so happy for you.)
Maraming Maraming Salamat Hidilyn 🇵🇭❤️ History will forever honor you. The whole country applauds you. Sobrang saya ko! Isang mahigpit na yakap para sayo🏋🏽♀️🥇 @ Tokyo, Japan https://t.co/T3KWHDqclC
— Enchong Dee (@enchongdee777) July 26, 2021
TV host and sports broadcaster Gretchen Ho also congratulated Diaz as she showed a photo of Diaz holding her Olympic gold medal, through her Twitter page today.
“Really feels like destiny, somehow. Thank you, Hidilyn Diaz,” Ho said.
It can be recalled that both sports personalities were included in the supposed oust-Duterte matrix back in 2019, after Diaz spoke up about her plight as an athlete. Diaz denied involvement in the supposed plot and asserted that she was only focused on her weightlifting training and career.
Fyi, Hidilyn Diaz is now 30 million pesos richer. 😊 @diaz_hidilyn #ParaSaPamilya #ParaSaPangarap #ParaSaBayan 🥇
Hi boss @iamMVP @APan9 @mvpsfph pic.twitter.com/vjT1Pi4Zcq
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) July 26, 2021
Singer Lea Salonga, meanwhile, was moved after witnessing the Philippine national anthem played for the first time during the awarding ceremony.
“The most emotional part was hearing our National Anthem being played. Nic and I stood, hands on hearts, and cried. Mabuhay ka, Hidilyn Diaz!” Salonga said.
The most emotional part was hearing our National Anthem being played. Nic and I stood, hands on hearts, and cried. Mabuhay ka, @Diaz_Hidilyn! pic.twitter.com/hUQdY4obeM
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) July 26, 2021
Diaz received congratulatory greetings from many other celebrities, including Bela Padilla, Erwan Heussaff, Sarah Lahbati, Iza Calzado, Ogie Alcasid and Jodi Sta. Maria. She also thanked those who prayed for her in her Olympic journey, through her Instagram Story.
“Thank you for praying,” she said, while holding up her medal.
Image: Instagram/@hidilyndiaz
Diaz’s medal was the 11th one earned by the Philippines and is the only gold. She is the second Filipino athlete to win multiple Olympic medals, joining swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso who won bronze in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke in 1928 and 1932. JB
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