Track and field legend Lydia de Vega-Mercado.
UPDATED MANILA, Philippines — Several senators mourned on Thursday the death of track and field legend Lydia de Vega, once regarded as Asia’s fastest woman.
In separate statements, Senators Lito Lapid, Nancy Binay, Robinhood Padilla, Sonny Angara and Francis Tolentino noted the honor that de Vega brought to the country.
“Nakakalungkot na ginupo ng sakit si Lydia pero kahit kailan, hindi mabubura ang iniwan nyang alaala ng galing at husay ng pagiging isang atletang Pilipino,” said Lapid.
(It’s sad that Lydia fell ill. But she will always be remembered as a great Filipino athlete.)
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng ibinigay mong karangalan sa bansa,” Binay said.
(Thank you for the honor you gave to the country.)
Angara, meanwhile, said: “[Rest in peace] Lydia De vega. Once Asia’s fastest woman.”
“We mourn the passing of Lydia de Vega, a Filipino sports icon and once regarded as Asia’s fastest woman,” Tolentino grieved.
Robin Padilla and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III expressed gratitude to de Vega for being an inspiration to Filipinos.
“Dahil sa kanya, naging kahanga-hanga ang Pilipinas sa ating karatig bansa,” Padilla said.
(Because of her, the Philippines gained the respect and adulation of neighboring countries.)
“Pero higit pa rito, atin siyang dapat pasalamatan sa inspirasyong ibinigay niya sa atin, hindi lamang bilang atleta at bilang Pilipino.”
(We should also thank her for inspiring us as an athlete and a Filipino.)
“Lydia, or Diay to her close friends, did not just give our country its shining moments as track and field superstar but she has inspired millions of Filipino athletes to work hard and train hard to achieve their dreams,” Pimentel stated.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, and Christopher Go, meantime, noted de Vega’s role among women and the youth.
Gatchalian posted: “I would like to honor the memory of Lydia De Vega as a role model to a younger generation of Filipino athletes, especially the young women who are bent on breaking both barriers and records to uplift our country’s spirit.”
“[A]s one of the most recognizable female athletes in the country, her brilliance encouraged many women and young girls to reach our full potential and continue her legacy— to win, to take space, and to keep coming back for more,” said the lady senator.
“Once the fastest woman in Asia, de Vega brought many honors to our country and inspired many of our young people to go into sports,” Go stated.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, on the other hand, shared that de Vega was his hero when he was young.
“She was my childhood hero, and a fellow Bulakenyo. Prayers to her family and loved ones. Rest in peace Asia’s Sprint Queen,” he said.
Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Lapid filed separate resolutions expressing sympathy for de Vega’s demise.
“Lydia is truly a true Asian track and field legend — who has excellently personified the admirable traits of a Filipina — passionate, determined, disciplined, and stunningly graceful in all her endeavors,” said Revilla in his resolution.
De Vega, 57, succumbed to breast cancer on Wednesday, August 10.