Hidilyn Diaz's kin rejoice for silver that glittered like gold

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Her dream to make it to the world stage started with makeshift concrete barbells, surrounded by a jubilant family in this southern village of weightlifting hopefuls.

Now, Hidilyn Diaz, a 25-year-old lady from the poor village of Mampang, will go down in Philippine sports history as the first – and so far the only – Filipina to ever win an Olympic medal.

Diaz is the fifth of six children of couple Eduardo and Emelita Diaz. The family resided in a compound near the roadside in Barangay Mampang.

Eduardo said he was praying the novena with his wife Emelita inside their home for the safety of their daughter – who was then competing in the 53 kg division of the women’s weightlifting –  when their relative broke the news around 3 a.m. Monday.

“A cousin of Hidi (Hidilyn’s nickname) burst in to announce she won the silver to our jubilation,” Eduardo said.

“Everyone here was so happy. It’s really a big honor not just for our home place but to the country which was seeking its medal in the Olympics,” Eduardo added.

Allen Jayfrus Diaz, a cousin of Hidilyn who initially coached her, said they were following the game until dawn despite poor television signal.

Emelita said her daughter’s triumph was a big birthday gift to her as she celebrated her 53rd birthday last Sunday.

“We were really praying that the Lord would give her this chance because it’s her third try and as a gift to me,” Emelita said.

A hero’s welcome awaits Hidilyn, who is expected to arrive in this city on Sunday night. Her family is planning to hold a simple party in their compound.

Barangay Mampang chairman Leonard Aliangan said a council meeting will be held to prepare for welcoming the village’s beloved daughter.

“We have to honor our very own Mampanguena. We have to thank her that she did not waste the opportunity to give honor to Zamboanga City, our village Mampang and the country,” Aliangan said.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, for her part, said a motorcade will be provided for Hidilyn, saying the Olympic medalist deserves it more than ever.

“It is with great joy and pride that we share the news of our very own Hidilyn Diaz’s record breaking win at the Rio Olympics,” Salazar said, aware that Diaz’s silver medal finish made her the first Filipina to medal at the prestigious sports event.

“This is a great victory for the city and the country,” added a jubilant Salazar announced during a press briefing here.

Dr. Cecile Atilano, the city’s sports officer who is also a former weightlifter, said the young Diaz is still good for two more Olympic bids, if she decides to continue.

According to her cousin Rachel Garcia, Hidilyn was convinced to take on weightlifting thanks to the influence of cousins, whom she joined in training at the school gym.

Allen Jayfrus recalled teaching Hidilyn the basics until she surpassed them in training sessions. Soon after, Diaz was already winning local and international competition.

Hidilyn later on put up her own weightlifting gym in front their house using makeshift concrete barbells.

“She showed strong interest in this kind of sports to the point of putting her own makeshift gym,” Eduardo Diaz said.

Hidilyn's father Eduardo Diaz and cousin Allen Jayfruz Diaz show her first metal barbells. Roel Pareno

Eduardo said most of the barbells and weights were donated to Hidilyn, including her first barbell, a broken and rusty one.

The Diaz patriarch said her daughter used to keep video recordings of her competitions to be shown to local children to inspire them.

And with that silver medal that glittered like gold around her neck, Hidilyn Diaz will continue to inspire them for years to come.