What's Next For Hidilyn Diaz and Her P40M+ Winnings? Tithes, Donations, and Charity

The prize pool is overflowing for the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz.

Hidilyn won gold in the 55-kg weight class weightlifting competition at the #Tokyo2020 Olympics last Monday, July 26th. Because of her success, Hidilyn will receive more than P43 million in prizes and cash rewards.

These include P10 million from the government, P10 million from San Miguel Corporation, P10 million from MVP Sports Foundation, P5 million from Siklab Atleta Sports Foundation, P3 million from Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, P2.5 million from Zamboanga City Government, and P3 million from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Aside from cash incentives, Hidilyn will also receive a house and lot in Tagaytay, two condominium units, a brand new 13-seater van, lifetime free flights from Air Asia and Philippine Airlines, lifetime free gas from Phoenix Petroleum, and a promotion in the Philippine Air Force.

In an interview with TV5 sports anchor Gretchen Ho, the Pinoy Olympian was asked what she plans to do with the prizes she will receive.

"Sa totoo lang, wala pa akong plano. Siyempre magbibigay ako ng tithes,” said the devout Catholic, who plans to donate to select organizations or charity institutions.

Hidilyn continued, “Then after that, I’m not sure. Alam ko, magsi-save ako for our future, my future, and of course giving back to the community… weightlifting."

Team HD

Having previously lost at the Asian Championships before the #Tokyo2020 Olympics, Hidilyn knows the importance of having a complete team. 

Team Hidilyn (HD) includes Coach Jeaneth Aro (nutritionist), Dr. Karen Trinidad (sports psychologist), Kaiwen Gao (weightlifting coach), and her boyfriend Julius Naranjo (strength and conditioning coach).

The Olympic gold medalist explained, "Importante silang lahat kasi nga ang tatlo ay nagwu-work together—si Coach Gao, si Coach Julius, and Ma’am Jeaneth Aro. Kasi I have to do my best in training but I need also to, like yung performance ko, to do my best, kailangan ma-refuel agad.

“So with the help of Coach Julius, lahat sila nagko-coordinate before lunch, sa training pa lang yun. Then, yung kung physically okay ako. Pero pag mentally hindi okay, so kailangan mentally prepared din ako. So, dun pumapasok si Doc Karen. Talagang before this, ang dami kong doubt, ‘Doc, natatakot na ako, kinakabahan na ako,’ ganun.”

Doc Karen told her, "No, Hids, you're prepared, you can, you will."

Hidilyn added, “Then, may pinapabasa siya sa akin, yung belief, ‘Kung maniwala ka, kaya mo.’ Tapos ang dami, e, ang dami niyang wisdom na ibinibigay sa akin. So sabi ko, ‘Oo nga ano, all this time, God is with me. God is with our team HD. God is with this journey. I know today He won’t leave us, He will with be with us.'"

Lessons From Four Olympics

Hidilyn has participated in four Olympics. First, in Beijing 2008 where she reached only tenth place. This was followed by London 2012, but the athlete did not finish her fight. In Rio 2016, Hidilyn won a silver medal. And in Tokyo 2020, she made history when she won the first gold medal for the Philippines.

What changed during her four-time run at the Olympics?

Hidilyn said, “Siguro ang nagbago sa akin, nung 2016, although may mga tao na behind me, konting tao. This time, I have people behind me. Then, there are the private sponsors helping me. Then later on, tumulong na ang government.

“Then, siguro na-realize ko lang din na after Olympics, hindi ko pala kayang mag-isa. Kasi siyempre tumatanda na ako, 30 years old. Nararamdaman ko na yung sakit then yung ranking ko 9 over 9. Parang sabi ko, ‘Parang ano na ‘to...’

“Pero the good thing, na-sustain and maintain ko. And siguro nagbago sa akin, my team, my team behind me. And yung belief kay God, mas naniwala ako kay God, mas naniwala ako sa sarili ko, and mas thankful ako.”

This story originally appeared on Pep.ph. Minor edits have beem made by Esquiremag.ph editors.