SAN Miguel Corp. President Ramon S. Ang has challenged Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz to gun for another golden mint three years from now in Paris, where the Philippines will mark its 100th year of participation in the quadrennial meet.
Ang said that with momentum on her side and confidence still up after winning the country’s first gold medal last month, Diaz, 30, can establish another record by capturing another gold in Franceand, in the process, embolden other Filipino athletes to aim higher in international competitions.
“Hidilyn is the country’s trailblazer in our successful Olympic gold medal quest. After years of heartbreaks, she came through for us and we are very thankful as a nation. We encourage her to go for another gold and inspire more athletes to believe that they can achieve more,” Ang said.
“Her victory comes at a very crucial point in our country’s history when we are grappling with a pandemic and a lot of Filipinos are looking for hope as we fight this virus and cope with the difficulties it has brought,” he added.
Ang personally handed Diaz, a Ginebra San Miguel brand ambassador since 2019,a P10 million checkas his personal gift for her golden win.
Aside from Diaz, boxers Carlo Paalam and NesthyPetecio will receive also receive P5 million each from Ang for winning silver medalswhile EumirMarcial will receive P2 million for his bronze medal.
Ang said he wanted to help ensure the Olympic gold medalist and her family will always have a steady and sustainable source of income by giving Diaz two Chick ‘N Juicy chicken rotisserie franchise outlets from San Miguel Foods, Inc. as a gift.
One outlet will be located at Eastwood City in Libis while another will be set up at her hometown of Zamboanga City.
“We know that after winning the Olympic gold, there will be a downpour of incentives both from the government and the private sector for Hidilyn and our other Olympic medalists.
My advise to her is, of course, to be smart with her finances — to spend and invest wisely, and to plan for the future,” Ang said.
“With the franchise outlets, we will assist Hidilyn every step of way in her journey as an entrepreneur so that she can also help other people in need of jobs. In addition to the physical stores, equipment, and training, we will also provide the initial stocks for free to get her started,”he added.
Ang also asked Diaz to use her influence to encourage more Filipinos to follow health protocols and get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Being a world-class athlete takes a lot of discipline and adherence to time-tested rules in order to be the best. Beating this pandemic requires the same. We can all do our share by being diligent with following health protocolsand getting vaccinated. There is a Hidilyn in each one of us and we can all carry the country’s weight on our shoulders through this difficult period,” Ang said.
