Press conference at NAIA 3 upon her arrival from her silver conquest in Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Photo by Jeanette Andrade/INQUIRER
Hidilyn Diaz is now undoubtedly the poster girl of Philippine sports after ending the country’s two-decade medal drought, but before her time in glory she was a victim of utter heartbreak.
Back in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, the Philippine heroine failed to make a mark in the weightlifting competitions.
All that, however, changed on August 7 when the yellow-green ribbon was slung around her neck and that silver hung just below her chest.
“Opo napawi na po nito [yung mga heartbreak], and para sakin ginawa kong siyang learning experience [yung mga pagkatalo] and para matuto ako sa mga pagkakamali,” said Diaz at the CIP Lounge of NAIA Terminal 3 Thursday upon her arrival.
Diaz’ coach Alfonsito Aldanete accompanied the silver medallist in her flight from Dubai to Manila where she was welcomed by her family and Sen. Sonny Angara.
Her parents Emelita and Eduardo Sr. were also in attendance in the press-conference as the teary-eyed Diaz gave them her first embrace back in the Philippines.