Ruffy Magbanua
SHE stood her ground with a strong resolve to bring home the bacon. And she did with a resounding finesse.
The recent triumph of Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz embodies the indomitable spirit of a champion – tough yet softhearted, a never-say-die-kind of attitude that is embedded in every heart of a true blue Mindanaoan.
Who would have thought that a plain and simple young lady from Zamboanga could end the country’s 22 years of medal drought?
Someone with a heart and mind of Hidilyn would. With shaken legs notwithstanding, she wowed the world with her outstanding skills on the weightlifting ramp.
Her unprecedented silver medal victory was a respite in a time the nation is heaped with controversies surrounding the government’s anti-drugs campaign, illegal mining, traffic woes in the metropolis, revival of peace talks with the left, unification with the Moro brothers, corruption and many other national issues of mega magnitude.
Indeed, a long walk in the wilderness of hard work, patience and resilience had its corresponding price, a rare gift of life only the brave and the daring could muster.
Her artistry with the lifts, no matter how difficult the training was, did not nail in that genre. She had this self-discipline and grit of a young woman of her caliber, daring with humbled heart of a winner.
Hidilyn’s years of romance with the iron lifts had eventually returned a windfall of blessings, from cash incentives worth more than P7.5 million as of last count, and boxes of assorted bonuses and gifts coming in by leaps and bounds, including offers as product endorser.
She shrieked at times when that pot of luck seemed too far for her to reach out. Yet she remained steadfast in her resolve to make a bold mark at the Rio Olympics.
She did push her way to fame, now currently hailed as the country’s sports icon, a heroine like no other.
Sans the celebrity status she’s now getting, Hidilyn is now ready for the rainy days; she’s all set to give her family the comfort of life they deserve.
This 25-year old Air Force 2nd class airwoman has sent a strong message of hope to all millennials: anything is possible. Not only did she receive cash rewards, but an on-the-spot promotion to Ist class airwoman of the Phillipine Air Force (PAF).
Eat your heart out, this Zamboanguena is gunning for that ultimate win in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics–this time, eyeing that elusive gold.
She need not reinvent herself though. All she to has to do is heed this winner’s call: there never was great achieved without experiencing defeat and pain.
A classified doer, Hidilyn knows what she wants in life. She triumphed over obstacles and mistakes in the past and learned from them.
The honor that Hidilyn has brought to the country is not an ordinary feat. She deserves all the attention worthy of respect and adulation fit for a queen.
Ahead of her promise to treat her parents the much needed vacation, she has already laid down her plan to build a mini-gym beside their modest house in Barangay Mambang, Zamboanga City.
Her goal: to train young kids how to become champions. Truly, Hidilyn is a Mindanaoan with a heart of a champion.
E-mail: ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo.com
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