Signed, sealed, and delivered.
Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first-ever gold medalist in the Summer Olympics, has already received the cash incentive promised to her by the MVP Sports Foundation.
A total of PHP 10 million was already deposited to Diaz’s personal account yesterday, a day after she arrived from Tokyo.
MVPSF wasted no time in making Diaz enjoy the fruits of her labor. After all, Diaz had been away from home for one-and-a-half years as she trained and lived in Malaysia to prepare for the Tokyo Games.
“Thank you so much, Sir MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan), Sir Al (S. Panlilio), and Sir VPV (Victorico P. Vargas). Thank you sa support na binigay niyo sa Team HD and sa akin at sa pagtitiwalang binigay ninyo,” expressed the 30-year-old Zamboanguena during an hour-long Zoom call with MVPSF officials.
“Malaking bagay po ito sa amin. Lalo na last year na shaky yung life, ang daming pangyayari dahil sa COVID, hindi nyo kami iniwan.”
Since 2011, MVPSF has been supporting national athletes through the National Sports Association, with regard to overseas trainings, personal allowances, and other expenses.
Diaz’s Gold Medal run in the minus-55kg category of the 2020 Olympics Weightlifting Tournament was the moment the whole Philippines has been waiting for.
“Umiyak kaming lahat nung nabuhat mo yung 127 kilograms,” shared MVPSF President Panlilio.
“We are very proud of you for winning our first Olympic Gold. You are now part of Philippine sports history. We’re hoping for more golds this Olympics. The rest of the Philippine team competing were really inspired by your performance,” expressed Panlilio.
MVPSF Chairman Pangilinan added that the foundation is planning to send Diaz’s family to Manila so they could be with the Olympian, who is currently in mandatory quarantine in the Sofitel Hotel. Moreover, he also threw in an additional P5-million for Team HD’s Jeaneth Aro, Dr. Karen Trinidad, Kaiwen Gao, and Julius Naranjo.
“Your parents are in Zamboanga right?” asked Pangilinan. “Maybe we can have the entire family here. We’ll take care of the plane fare and accommodation,” he offered.
Upon hearing Pangilinan’s proposal, Diaz could not help but be emotional, expressing her gratitude to MVPSF for their unwavering support for her throughout the years.
“Dati, nung sobrang down ako, hindi niyo kami pinabayaan. Thank you so much sa support. Nung humingi kami ng tulong, nandoon kayo. And tuluy tuloy po yun tulong na binibigay niyo,” expressed Diaz.
“Maraming salamat po sa tiwalang binibigay ng MVPSF sa akin at sa Team HD.”
“Basta walang iwanan. We look forward to seeing you personally. Thank you HD,” MVP assured.
