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MANILA – Lawmakers in the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday filed resolutions congratulating and commending weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for clinching the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.
In filing House Resolution 1982, Philippine Olympics Committee president and House Deputy Speaker Abraham Tolentino said Diaz’s victory in the 55-kg. category in women’s weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics showed that Filipinos can excel at the highest level on the world stage.
Tolentino described Diaz as the Philippines’ “treasure” as she brought “tremendous pride and joy” to the entire country.
“In this year’s Tokyo Olympics, the entire Philippines was in euphoria after Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever gold medal in the Olympics,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Eduardo Villanueva also filed a still-unnumbered resolution that congratulates, commends, and honors Diaz for bringing immense pride, honor, and joy to the nation for her historic performance in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“We celebrate with the entire nation for the historic and unprecedented victory of Hidilyn Diaz, who has finally given the country its first Olympic gold medal,” he said. “She brought the Philippines to the international sports map and restored the world's respect for the Filipino people.”
Diaz is part of the 19-delegate Filipino Olympian team who flew to Japan to compete in 11 different events.
On top of winning the Philippines' first Olympic gold, she also set an Olympic record by lifting a total of 224 kg. – 97 kg. in the “snatch” technique and 127 kg. in the “clean and jerk” technique.
“Hidilyn's victory rekindles a new sense of hope and motivation among Filipino athletes and puts to rest any doubt on the ability of the Filipino spirit to win and conquer any challenge, however insurmountable it may seem, in any international sporting event. Walang hindi kayang marating ang atletang Pinoy! (The Filipino athlete can achieve anything!)” Villanueva said.
In the Senate, Senator Pia Cayetano filed Senate Resolution 805 commending Diaz for bringing home the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal since it joined the quadrennial meet in 1924.
“A ticket to the Olympics is very rare. But the Olympic gold is reserved only for the best. I'd like to believe that when she took her first step and was on the Olympic stage in 2008, at the tender age of 17, that gold was already hung around her neck,” Cayetano said.
Senator Joel Villanueva also filed Senate Resolution 804, which “honor(s) a Filipino Filipina who persevered and prevailed in her well-chosen battle in life.”
“Her victory is a win for our flag and to the entire Filipino nation,” he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto commended Diaz for raising the spirits of 110 million Filipinos.
“With one heave, she hoisted the Philippines for the first time atop the winner's podium, for which her countrymen waited for almost 100 years,” Recto said.
In her Senate Resolution 798, Senator Risa Hontiveros lauded Diaz for rising above the challenges laid in her path to winning the elusive Olympic gold medal for the country.
"The first Filipino Olympic champion is a woman. During one of the most difficult moments in world history, a Filipina did that against all odds – amid the pandemic, despite limited resources, and in spite of unnecessary political controversy. 97 years was worth the wait," she said. "The grace and dignity with which Hidilyn Diaz rose above the challenges laid in her path show that girls with dreams become women with vision.” (PNA)
