Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’ hometown, Zamboanga City, is preparing for the Olympic silver medalist’ return from Brazil.
A hero’s welcome will be held in Zamboanga City for Hidilyn Diaz – not only their hero but also of the entire Philippines – who garnered the first Silver medal of the country after 20 years of medal drought in the Olympic Games.
Diaz ranked second in 52 kgs weightlifting division where she garnered a total of 200 kgs weights lifted. She ended next to Hsu Shu-Ching of Chinese-Taipei who got the gold medal after lifting a total of 212 kgs of metal. While Yoon Jin Hee of Korea bagged the bronze medal after carrying a total of 199 kgs.
Aside from Diaz, another Zamboangueño weightlifter, Nestor Colonia, will also be given the hero’s welcome although he did not get any medal in the Summer games.
Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco said that the two weightlifters are expected to be home on Monday.
The hero’s welcome will be held at the Zamboanga City hall after a caravan around the city.
“Our warmest felicitations to our Olympians, our very own Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia, for their outstanding performances in the Rio Olympics in the weightlifting competition! The City of Zamboanga stands with you with pride,” said Climaco.
Aside from the reception, the city government will also give Diaz a cash reward worth P500,000. This is aside from the P5 million that the national government will be giving the lady weightlifter.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez announced that the new sports hero will also receive a house and lot when she comes home.
Meanwhile, Punong Barangay Leonard Aliangan, the barangay chairman of Mampang, Zamboanga City also plans to give Diaz a separate hero’s welcome.
The Diaz family will hold a simple party at their house. Hidilyn’s mother, Emelita Diaz said they will host a “salo-salo” when she comes home on Monday.
