Hidilyn Diaz photo from AFP
Perhaps, all the Filipinos who bear the surname Diaz were a bit prouder than the others after Hidilyn wrote history and gave the Philippine its first-ever Olympic gold medal in the weightlifting competition in Tokyo on Monday night, July 26.
Former Miss Universe and celebrity Gloria, who herself is a history-maker, is certainly one of them.
Gloria, who was the first Filipina to be crowned Miss Universe back in July 1969, took to Instagram to congratulate Hidilyn on Tuesday.
She posted a video with the Lupang Hinirang being played at the Tokyo International Forum during the awarding rites--the first time that the national anthem was sung in an official Games ceremony--and an emotional Hidilyn posing a salute to the Philippine flag raising to the rafters.
"Congratulations, Hidilyn! The Filipinos are so proud of you lalo na ako!" said the ex-Miss U in the caption.
Hidilyn lifted an Olympic record 224 kg (97 in snatch and an Olympic mark of 127 in the clean and jerk) to edge out the 223 kg effort of reigning world champion Liao Qiuyun of China in the women's 55 kg category.
It was the Philippine's first gold medal in 97 years or since David Nepomuceno kicked off the country's Olympic participation back in the 1924 Paris.
Also 52 years later, another Diaz and another woman made history for the country. Make no mistake about it though as Gloria and Hidilyn are not related by blood, albeit, by greatness.