This is neither a blast from the past tribute piece to the song “Gold” by Spandau Ballet nor about the quartet of juveniles composed of Kyle Echari, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, and Andrea Brillantes of Kadenang Ginto.
Hidilyn Diaz’s historic win at Tokyo Olympics is today's gold, a feat that made all of us beaming with so much pride, something we all need in this pandemic and the never-ending state that is the quarantine season.
If you want to know the life story of this Miss Diaz, then read it in your friendly neighborhood search engine or you may even watch the melodramatic take on a long-reigning, once a week, drama show based on real people’s lives. And yes, there are countless stories about her to feast on, in all mass communication mediums that are currently available.
With brands knocking on her doorstep — giving gifts and other pecuniary appreciation asking Diaz to be their image model — she definitely deserves it all.
To the many who bashed her when she asked for sponsorships prior to this I am woman, hear me roar moment, and the controversial red-tagging in the mysterious matrix, let history be the judge and executioner on that matter.
The learned ones know better. The blind, deaf, and mute on the truth and nothing but the truth that sets people free, let us leave them with their choices. We are in a democratic society and this reality is democracy in action, the good and the bad, love and hatred are all in the democratic coin.
What are the learnings we get from Hidilyn ending the Philippines' nine decades of Olympic gold drought? Patience, perseverance, hard work, prayers, and luck are all key ingredients not only in the life of an athlete like Diaz because these components suit all of us as well.
The men and women of power who run the sports sector must seriously reevaluate their plans, programs, projects, and finances so that all kinds of sports are given equitable funding and importance. Time and again, we have made impressive marks and wins in individual sports such as bowling, boxing, gymnastics, figure skating, and now weightlifting. These victories must be regarded as not only indicators but proof that athletes in the said fields must be given the appropriate amount of attention and financial support.
There is so much fun fare and funding given to the national basketball team and yet, they always fail to make the cut and the stamp of being Asia’s best basketball battalion.
We also know that corporate sponsors only love a winner and that is indeed a lamentable reality. Adding more misery to the Filipino talent, whether they are athletes or artists, is the obvious bias of corporate entities in wanting foreign and international celebrities as the face and models of their brands. Hoping that Diaz’s win will change this prevailing prejudice on Filipino achievers and rising stars, in whatever field of excellence.
What happens to all of us now after the pixie dust of Hidilyn Diaz’s victory has settled? Hopeful, definitely. Inspired? Perhaps. Believing that dreams do come true, and it can happen to anyone, affirmative! And may there be more believers and dreamers in this crazy planet and lifetime of ours.