Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games on Monday by defeating world champion and challenger Liao Qiuyun of China by lifting an Olympic record of 127 kilos. With this, she triggered a cascade of prizes and incentives.
Diaz is projected to collect more than P50 million (US$1 million) in cash and properties after becoming the first Filipino Olympic gold medallist in the women’s 55kg weightlifting division at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
The following is a breakdown of the monetary windfall Diaz will receive when she returns to the Philippines on July 28.
The four-time Olympian will receive a bonus of P10 million pesos (US$200,000) for winning gold, as stipulated by Republic Act No. 10699, commonly known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.
The MVP Sports Foundation’s Manuel V. Pangilinan and San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon S. Ang both pledged P10 million, totaling a total of P20 million pesos (US$400,000).
Dennis Uy of Phoenix Petroleum has contributed P5 million (US$100,000) through the Siklab Atleta Foundation, as well as a lifetime supply of fuel.
Meanwhile, Diaz is scheduled to get P4 million (US$80,000) from Deputy Speaker of the House Mikee Romero, as well as P2.5 million (US$50,000) from her hometown of Zamboanga City.
Diaz will also received properties, which include a condominium unit worth P14 million (US$280,000) from Megaworld in Eastwood City, Quezon City.
Diaz will also receive a house and lot package from Century Properties in a location of her choice, while Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino is expected to present Diaz a house and lot in Tagaytay City, which will allegedly include a Foton automobile.
Diaz has been offered a lifetime of free flights from AirAsia and Philippine Airlines, in addition to cash awards and properties. She will be able to go to approximately 140 destinations in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and the United States as a result of this.
Meanwhile, local companies of various shapes and sizes have provided unique incentives to the two-time Olympic medalist.
For one thing, Maldito’s Golden Pares, a small eatery in Bacoor, Cavite, has granted Diaz access to the entire menu of Pares and Mami. Rixie’s Car Wash & Auto Detailing, located somewhere in Tondo, Manila, promises to supply the Filipina icon with free carwashes for the rest of her life.