IN RECOGNITION of her hard work, passion, and sportsmanship best exemplified during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, AirAsia has awarded Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz with “lifetime free flights.”

Diaz conquered the Tokyo Olympics’ women’s 55-kilogram weightlifting competition on Tuesday, July 26, 2021, etching a historic first gold win for the Philippines, which is about 97 years in the making.

This is the second Olympic medal brought by the 30-year-old Zamboangena, as she also won a silver medal during the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the same year, Diaz was awarded with five-year unlimited flights within the AirAsia route network.

AirAsia’s network covers more than 140 destinations in Asia, United States, Australia and the Middle East.

“We want all Asean to believe that they can always make it happen. Amidst challenges and struggles as we go forth with recovery, Hidilyn reminds us that no matter how heavy the weight we are carrying, inner strength, perseverance and a heart of gold will help us power through,” said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla, for his part, congratulated and thanked her for being an inspiration and for uplifting the Filipino people’s spirits.

He said Diaz is the “perfect example of what it means to be an ‘allstar,’ by embodying AirAsia core values of Dreaming Big and Making it Happen.”

“We thank her for reminding us that being the world’s best is second to serving the Filipinos. The Allstar family is one in celebrating with Hidilyn, and it is our great honor to serve her onboard,” said Isla.

In an interview with AirAsia in 2018, Diaz shared personal and professional challenges she faced, but stressed that it is important to “look back at your dreams and never give up on them.”

Aside from the lifetime free flights, Diaz will also be receiving P30 million from the Philippine Sports Commission and tycoons Ramon Ang and Manny Pangilinan. House Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero also pledged P3 million, while the Zamboanga City Government offered P2.5 million.

Megaworld Corporation also awarded Diaz with a P14 million worth of condominium unit in Quezon City, while she is set to receive a house and lot from the Century Properties Group and another house and lot in Tagaytay City from Philippine Olympic Committee head House Deputy Speaker Abraham Tolentino. (LMY/With PR)