AirAsia fetes Diaz, other Rio medalists
BANGKOK – One month since capturing the silver medal in the Rio Olympics, lifter Hidilyn Diaz continues to enjoy the fruits of her labor.
The current toast of Philippine sports joins fellow achievers from the ASEAN region in the Thai capital today for a tribute prepared for them by AirAsia executives led by AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes.
Diaz and the Rio heroes and heroines bask in the limelight in a twohour program slated at JW Marriott Bangkok, where the airline company hands out their incentives in recognition of their achievements in Rio.
As a silver medalist, Diaz is set to receive a free flight privilege on the airline for five years. Gold medalists get to enjoy the privilege for life while bronze winners have it for a two-year period. “Masaya kasi hina- highlight nila mga athletes, na- feel namin iyung importansya binibigay nila (Glad to feel that we athletes are given importance and recognition for our efforts),” said Diaz, marking the “monthsary” of her Rio feat and bringing along the precious silver medal. Philippine Weightlifting Association vice president Elbert Atilano accompanied Diaz in this trip. Diaz is among 21 athletes from Southeast Asia who made podium finishes in the Rio Games. The region struck for five golds, courtesy of Thais Sukanya Stisurat and Sopita Tanasan, Indonesian badminton mixed doubles champs Tontowi Ahmad and Lilyana Natsir, and Joseph Schooling of Singapore and Hoang Xuan Vinh of Vietnam, who gave their respective countries their milestone gold. Zamboanga pride Diaz, who broke Phl’s 20-year medal drought in the Olympiad, has been showered with incentives, ranging from cash bonuses of at least P7-million from the government and lawmakers to house and lot. She’s been making round of TV and even corporate events for special appearances and inspirational speeches since coming home from Rio.