The outpour of love for Hidilyn Diaz, the first athlete to win an Olympic gold for the country, is overwhelming.
As of July 31, 2021, the cash pledges have reached PHP50.5 million, the breakdown of which is:
- PHP10M fom the government
- PHP10M from Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corporation
- PHP10M from Manny Pangilinan's MVP Sports Foundation
- PHP5M from the government for setting two Olympic records. This, according to Commissioner Celia Kiram of Philippine Sports Commission commissioner, "has already been approved, signed, and ready for release."
- PHP5M from Siklab Atleta Sports Foundation
- PHP5M from Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero
- PHP3M from President Rodrigo Duterte
- PHP2.5M from Zamboanga City government
So far, based on the public announcements, the PHP10 million from Pangilinan was already deposited to Hidilyn's account on Thursday, July 29—three days after the athlete's historic win.
Onyok Velasco's interview with 24 Oras last night, July 30, got a lot of Pinoys worrying over the pledges and perks promised to Hidilyn.
Onyok won a silver medal in boxing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Back then, Congress pledged PHP2.5M, which he never received.
A businessman promised to give him a lifetime of PHP10,000 allowance, which stopped a year after the boxer's victory.
The Philippine Navy said it would give scholarship grants to his two children, but this did not happen.
Onyok's current residence was gifted to him because of that victory. However, the title has yet to be transferred to his name.
His only hope now is, "yung titulo lang mai-transfer na ba, kasi nakatira ako doon sa bahay, mamaya bigla akong palayasin doon."
On Hidilyn's gifts, he said, “Sana matupad lahat para hindi lang si Hidilyn, yung iba pang gustong maging athletes na kabataan, magpursige rin na ganun pala kalaki yung mga binibigay,” he said.
Aside from the cash gifts, Hidilyn is supposed to get:
- a condominum unit from Megaworld worth "PHP14M"
- a house and lot from Century Properties Group and PHirst Park Homes, Inc. valued at "PHP4M."
- a house and lot in Zamboanga City from President odrigo Duterte
- a house and lot from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino
She will receive cars, too:
- a brand-new 13-seater TransVan from Foton Philppines
- a Kia Stonic from Ayala Fundation, AC Motors, and Kia Philippines
And she won't have to worry about the gas hike because she has:
- a lifetime supply of free fuel from Phoenix Petroleum
In case she's in a rush and does not want to get stuck in traffic, Light Rail Manila Corporation announced on Facebook that she will enjoy:
- Libreng sakay sa LRT-1 for life
And if she wants to take a break, she can spend a few weeks in the U.S. or London or have a cup of coffee in Paris or go shopping in Hong Kong.
Her achievement earned her the "first forever flyer" distinction. This entails:
- 80,000 free miles every year for life courtesy of Philippine Airlines
- Plus free flights for life from Air Asia
- Plus 25 free flights from Cebu Pacific
Our gold medalist deserves a lot of me time after enduring years of gruelling training.
A brand she endorsed in 2018 promised a "lifetime of beauty rewards."
Another company will give her a "beauty package."
See the details below:
- PHP600K worth of products from these brands ’LOréal Paris, Maybelline, Kiehl’s, Garnier, Kérastase, and L’Oréal Professionnel.
- Skinvestment Plus Beauty Plan worth Php 100,000 of services & products, lifetime Laser Hair Removal package, and a Pink Elite membership which feature exclusive perks in Flawless clinics nationwide.
For her new houses, she will eceive these housewarming gifts:
- Orthocare mattress and sleep products from Uratex
- appliances from Xtreme
Dining out for the gold medalist won't be a problem also. On her cheat days, she can enjoy these priviliges for life:
- free buffet from Vikings
- free meals from Tipsy Pig Gastropub
- free pares
- free Korean barbeque from the Baliwag branch of a Korean restaurant
- free chicken skin
- unlimited La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, and free accomodation during Dingyang Festival courtesy of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
For her future wedding, pregnancy announcement, gender reveal, maternity shoot, and every milestone in her life, she gets:
- a lifetime photography and video service from PixieLab Photography and Films
Lastly, because she loves milk tea, she gets:
- a year suppy of milk tea from Babi Boba
- a year supply of cheesecake milk tea from Cha Tuk Chak.
By the way, our champ needs to see a lawyer and an accountant.
And all her monetary donations and rewards are not tax-free unless the donors have already paid the donor's tax.