TWO lawmakers from Mindanao are filing a resolution at the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Hidilyn Diaz for her historic feat by winning the gold medal in weightlifting 55 kilograms category for women in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Deputy Speaker and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman and Anak Mindanao Party-list Representative Amihilda Sangcopan said in a statement that Diaz hurdled seemingly insurmountable odds to give the Philippines its very first gold medal in the Olympics.
“The Pride of Mindanao, the Pride of the Philippines,” the two lawmakers described Diaz, who hails from Mampang village, Zamboanga City.
They said Diaz’s Olympic victory is a shining inspiration to every Filipino that perseverance and hard work indeed pays off.
“Congratulations to our fellow Mindanaoan Hidilyn Diaz! Isa kang inspirasyon sa kapwa mo Pilipino, lalo na sa mga taga-Mindanao, na nangangarap makarating kung nasaan ka ngayon. Hindi lang ginto ang ibinigay mo sa Pilipinas, kundi inspirasyon sa aming lahat!” Hataman said.
“Alam naming naging mahirap ang iyong paglalakbay, pero nakita din namin na hindi ka sumuko. Lalo ka pang lumaban sa harap ng matitinding unos at hamon. At dahil diyan, IDOL ka naming lahat,” Hataman added.
Sangcopan pointed out Diaz’s humble beginnings, as the youngest of six siblings growing up in a poor family in this city.
“As a fellow Mindanaoan who also grew up in Zamboanga City, my heart is now overflowing with pride because of Hidilyn’s extraordinary accomplishment,” Sangcopan said.
“She persevered and did not let poverty stop her from pursuing her dreams. Many would have given up, but she continued on, focusing on what was important. Now, she is on top of the world,” Sangcopan added.
Diaz bested China’s Liao Qiuyun in the women's 55-kilogram weightlifting event in a very emotional win for the Philippines.
Diaz won the country’s first-even gold medal in its long history in the Olympics since it joined almost a hundred years ago in 1924.
“Kasama mo ang buong bansa sa pag-iyak sa kasiyahan ng iyong tagumpay. At habang tinutugtog ang Lupang Hinirang sa saliw ng iyong pagkapanalo, at nakikita naming dumadaloy ang iyong luha, sa aming paningin ay isa kang Pilipinong karapat-dapat na ikarangal,” Hataman said.
“Dalangin namin ay maging simbolo ka ng pag-asa, hindi lang para sa mga tulad mong atleta, pati na rin para sa mga kababayan mong naghahanap ng panalo sa gitna ng pandemya,” he added. (SunStar Zamboanga)