MVP on Hidilyn’s gold: Mission accomplished!
PLDT and MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan cried tears of joy as soon as he heard the news that weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo on Monday night. “Wow as in Wow. Great job, Hidilyn. We knew it was a tough journey for you, but every step is now well worth it,” Pangilinan tweeted.
“You have our continuing prayers and support albeit at the end, it is you who does the heavy lifting. Tonight, you carried the nation on your shoulders. A huge thanks.”
Diaz and 13 others on the 19-athlete Team Philippines in Tokyo are under the care of the MVPSF, an organization under the MVP Group that supports Filipino athletes.
“Congratulations, Hidilyn! You make us so proud. The MVPSF was born ten years ago with its vision of winning our first Olympic gold medal. You did it,” said Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT and Smart Communications Inc. President and CEO, and MVPSF President.
“We at PLDT and Smart have
always believed in the importance of sports in shaping individuals and communities for the better. Hidilyn embodied what puso really means,” added Panlilio, who is also the First Vice President of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The MVPSF has supported Diaz’s training both financially and logistically in the last two years, and has helped her form a core team of experts to build a solid strategy in her fourth shot at the Olympics.
“Thank you so much MVPSF, Sir MVP and Sir Al Panlilio. Thank you so much for the trust you have given me and Team HD,” Diaz said. “We couldn’t have won the gold medal without your support.”
Diaz will receive P10 million from MVPSF as an incentive for securing the gold medal in the women’s 55-kg class, on top of other rewards from the government and other private companies.
“Hidilyn’s performance has truly inspired the members of Team Pilipinas to do their best. We at PLDT, Smart and MVPSF are doing our best to support these athletes on so many levels, so that they can bring glory to the country through sports,” said Jude Turcuato, Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart.