Blessings continue to pour for Hidilyn Diaz including from Philippine Airlines that has granted her a lifetime miles as "the flag carrier's way of rewarding her for bagging the country's first Olympic Gold.
No hero's welcome for Hidilyn Diaz, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medalist, as she was whisked to a waiting vehicle that drove her to a hotel where she will stay for seven days for mandatory quarantine.
GOLDEN GIRL. Philippine Olympic gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz waves to well-wishers as she makes a triumphant comeback to the Philippines Wednesday night (July 28). Diaz continues to receive plaudits and awards after winning the country's first gold medal for weightlifting in this year's Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. (PHOTO BY RAFAEL TABOY)
Diaz and fellow Filipino Olympian, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Narita, Japan at 5:53 p.m on Wednesday onboard Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight PR427.
Margielyn Didal photo from PSC (Philippine Sports Commission)
They were warmly welcomed by crowd patiently waiting to have a glimpse of the athletes.
PAL staff at the NAIA Terminal 2 held tarpaulin praising Diaz as she and Didal walked on the normal route just like other passengers.
PAL has granted the weightlifting champion a lifetime miles as "the flag carrier's way of rewarding her for bagging the country's first Olympic Gold."
According to PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna, the reward was an 80,000 miles, which is equivalent to five economy roundtrip domestic flights; two roundtrip ticket economy (regional: Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China); or one roundtrip ticket economy for international (transpacific) - the United States, Canada or Europe.
During her flight, Diaz was able to post on Facebook her gratitude and appreciation:
"Philippine Airlines thank you so much for sponsoring the national athletes in Tokyo 2020. Thank you for believing in us."
PAL in recent years has sponsored or assisted the travel of about 300 young underprivileged Filipino athletes, performers and other artists representing the Philippines in global competitions being done through the PAL Foundation.
The Zamboangueña bagged the Olympic gold medal on Monday, winning the women's 55-kilogram category against Chinese Liao Qiuyun in weightlifting.
AirAsia Philippines also granted Diaz an unlimited flights for life, while other cash rewards came from the government and private businessmen.
Also, a P14-million condominium from Megaworld Corp., P4-million house and lot from PHirst Park Homes.
Tags: #TokyoOlympics, #HidilynDiaz, #homecoming, #PhilippineAirlines