The country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist is slowly reaping the pledged rewards now that her one-week quarantine finally comes to an end. In gratitude for her historic feat at the Tokyo Olympics, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz finally gets hold of a brand-new Kia Stonic 1.4 EX AT courtesy of Ayala Foundation and Kia Philippines.
Diaz, on June 26, became the Philippines’ first-ever gold medalist after winning the women’s 55-kg category weightlifting event. “Thank you sa pag-recognize sa pagka-panalo ko. Thank you so much na na-appreciate ninyo yung nagawa ko para sa bansa,” said Diaz who shared that the range topping compact crossover SUV of Kia is perfect as she moves around Metro Manila.
Following her victory, Diaz was recognized as an “Atletang Magiting” through Ayala Foundation’s Maging Magiting campaign. The foundation is the social development arm of the Ayala Group of companies. The foundation recognized that despite the many odds she faced, Diaz remained steadfast to her goal of one day winning an Olympic gold, which she boldly declared in 2008, when the 17-year old Diaz was bing interviewed by 24 Oras’ Time Out host Chino Trinidad: “Someday, dadalhin ko yung flag ng Pilipinas as a gold medalist weighlifter sa Olympics.”
Thirteen years later, she followed through on that promise. Said Ayala Foundation president Ruel Maranan: “Maraming salamat sa lahat ng iyong hirap, pagtiya-tiyaga, sakripisyo at mataimtim na pananampalataya, tunay kang isang Atletang Magiting. Kinayang abutin ang ating gintong pangarap. Tanggapin mo ang munting alay namin, sasakyan ng kampeon.”
Recognizing Diaz as “Atletang Magiting” is part of Ayala Foundation’s sustained efforts to promote love of country. Through the Maging Magiting campaign, Ayala Foundation calls on Filipinos to take pride in our heritage and identity, by giving honor to our national emblems such as the flag, while also embodying the call for all of us to be heroes in our own ways. It has a recognition component, like the Pulis Magiting x Pilipinong Magiting initiative, which was recently relaunched in six regions of the country to celebrate men and women in uniform who have shown extraordinary acts of heroism beyond the call of duty.
Recognizing Diaz as “Atletang Magiting” is part of the Ayala group’s efforts toward collaboration and synergy across companies and units and an expression of its continuing commitment to national development.
Kia Philippines is under AC Motors, Ayala Corp.’s automotive arm, which also houses Volkswagen, Maxus, Honda, and Isuzu.
