It’s no secret that athletes who win medals at the Olympics will receive perks from their home country that they’re representing.
And some of these perks will make you wish you were an Olympian too.
Hidilyn Diaz recently took home the gold medal for women’s weightlifting and made her country, the Philippines proud. And along with her medal, she received various gifts and perks from the Philippines government as well as companies and individuals.
Here are some of the gifts and perks she received;
Monetary gifts
Hidilyn is set to receive P10 million (RM845,191.55) from Senator Sonny Angara, under the Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. Her coaches will receive cash rewards too!
She will also receive an additional P5 million (RM422,595.77) from Phoenix Petroleum.
Tycoons Ramon Ang and Manny Pangilinan are giving P10 million (RM845,191.55) each, while House Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero pledged P3 million (RM253,464.16).
That’s a whopping P38 million (RM3,210,545.96) so far.
Complimentary flights
Both AirAsia Philippines and Philippine Airlines have rewarded Hidilyn with free flights for the rest of her life.
“We in AirAsia are excited to fly Hidilyn, and help her realise her advocacies in empowering dreamers, believers and future torch bearers of Philippine sports,” shared Steve Dailisan, an AirAsia spokesperson.
Cebu Pacific also offered Hidilyn, and her fellow Phillipine Olympians 25 free flights each.
Properties
Not only will Hidilyn be receiving a P14 million (RM1,182,832.72) residential condominium unit from Megaworld, but she will also have a house and a property lot valued at P4 million (RM338,488.35) from Century Properties Group.
Vehicles
While Kia Philippines is gifting Hidilyn with a top-of-the-line Kia Stonic 1.4 EX AT, Foton Motor Philippines is giving her a brand new 13-seater TransVan.
Free petrol
On top of the P5 million from Phoenix Petroleum, they’re also awarding her with free petrol for life!
Scholarship Grant
The Eton International School in the Philippines not only awarded Hidilyn with a P1 million (RM84,488.05) scholarship grant, but the grant is also extended to her loved ones.
“You and your future family will be entitled to P1 million worth of scholarship grants from Eton International School. Continue inspiring the next generation with greatness and humility,” they shared via their Facebook page.
Food
Just some of the delicious perks Hidilyn will receive include complimentary Premium Cheesecake Milk Tea for a year, a lifetime worth of buffets, ramen, chicken wings, burgers, and seriously, this list goes on and on.
Others
Aside from everything mentioned above, the Filipino champ is also being gifted with training gear and appliances, beauty treatments, skin care products, makeup, a lifetime pass to a water resort, lifetime vehicle maintenance, and cookware, just to name a few.
To top all of that, Hidilyn has also been promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant at the Armed Forces of the Philippines and will have a statue of herself in her hometown of Zamboanga City.
Way to go Philippines!
To say that Hidilyn deserves it all is to state the obvious.
It was truly amazing to see how Hidilyn excelled at the Olympics, not only making her home country proud but also receiving praise from her Asian counterparts.
She’ll go on to do greater things in the future and inspire others to do the same, and for that, she deserves to be celebrated.
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comment section.
Also read: Nur Dhabitah Finishes 4th Place In Olympics Final, Warms Hearts With Her Beautiful Smile
