For her record-making and record-breaking achievement at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz, the first ever Filipino to win a gold medal at the quadrennial summer games, is considered a modern-day hero.
In a recent Instagram post, Diaz said: “Di ako makapaniwala na Gold Medalist ako sa Olympics. Kung ako lang ito, di ko ito magagawa parang impossible. Salamat God sa pagdala ng mga tao, government support, private support, pamilya, kaibigan at prayer warriors para magawa ko ito at maging possible.”
The Ayala group’s support for Philippine weightlifters including Diaz date back to 2016, when the Bank of the Philippine Islands turned over training equipment for the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Gym in Zamboanga City. In 2018, Ayala Land turned over a check donation to the members of the Samahang Weightlifters ng Pilipinas.
Recognizing Diaz under the Maging Magiting program is part of Ayala Foundation’s sustained efforts to promote love of country. Through the Maging Magiting campaign, Ayala Foundation calls on Filipinos to take pride in our heritage and identity, by giving honor to our national emblems such as the flag, while also embodying the call for all of us to be heroes in our own ways.
Maging Magiting is also a recognition program, as can be seen in the Pulis Magiting X Pilipinong Magiting initiative, which was recently relaunched in six regions to recognize men and women in uniform who have shown extraordinary acts of heroism beyond the call of duty.
As “Atletang Magiting,” Diaz will receive a top of the line Kia Stonic as a gift of gratitude from AC Motors and Kia Philippines.