BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental yesterday honored lone Filipino Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz by recognizing her as an “adopted daughter” of the province during an activity held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, in behalf of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, yesterday presented to Hidilyn Diaz a copy of a resolution unanimously approved by the SP, which was concurred by Lacson, congratulating, commending and conferring a title of being an adopted daughter of Negros Occidental.
Provincial Administrator Diaz said the title of being an adopted daughter of the province, was conferred to Hidilyn Diaz, in exchange of the honor and privilege she had brought to the country.
Hidilyn thanked the provincial government for recognizing her and her team, as she also expressed hope that what she had accomplished will inspire the youth and Filipino people, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
She recalled that her visit to Negros Occidental brought a lot of memories to her, stressing that she had participated the 2005 South East Asian Games in Bacolod, a year after she also joined a weightlifting competition in the province.
Stressing that she is not an extra ordinary person, Hidilyn however, said she was used and the weightlifting sports by the Lord Almighty as an instrument to inspire other people.
“Always dream high and never surrender,” the Filipino Olympic gold medalist said.
In reply to a question that weightlifting is a man’s sport, Hidilyn stressed that there is no gender in sport. “All of us will excel, as long as we love what we are doing”, she said.
Hidilyn also announced that she is donating P1 million to the Samahang Weighlifting ng Pilipinas chaired by Monico Puentevella to further promote the weightlifting sports in the grassroot level.
Provincial Administrator Diaz said informed Hidilyn that the provincial government is now in the process of arranging series of weightlifting trainings that will be held throughout the province.
Hidilyn also said that she had received all pledges, after winning the elusive gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Winning the gold medal in Olympiad, according to Hidilyn, will not stop her from pursuing the sports she loved. Hidilyn, who was accompanied by her coach, Julius Naranjo, said she is joining the World weightlifting championship in Uzbekistan to defend her title.*
