Time to get to know more about our Olympic gold medalist
It doesn't hurt to dream big dreams, and Hidilyn Diaz finally reached one of her biggest dreams—to bring home the gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics.
All throughout the years of training, she found time to help those in need through her charity efforts. Most recently, she released a children's book "Ginto't Pilak" about her last September 2020. This book is co-authored by her and Eugene Evasco, with an introduction by Noel Ferrer, illustratred by Tristan Yuvienco, and published by Anvil Publishing.
She posted that same day, "I am so excited to announce the launch of a children’s book that I am featured in!" In that same post, she explained why she thought of releasing this book, "This is one of my WHY’s in life, before I won the silver medal for the Philippines at the 2016 Rio Olympics, I didn’t give up on my preparation for Olympics because of the younger generation. I wanted to build a weightlifitng gym for them, I built it, but what I want is to give them the inspiration to continue with their dream in weightlifting. I came from nothing to eventually becoming a silver medalist. We never know, one of these kids might be the next Gold Medalist."
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She wanted more from the life she has been living, dreaming bigger dreams not only for herself but for the nation, "This is my advocacy, to spread awareness of weightlifting and to find the next athlete who will be better than I ever was. I thank God for giving me this mission in life and for giving me wisdom to continue my dream despite the trials and challenges I’ve endured."
She posted about this book again last November, referring to this book as "the story of my life. It's a book of inspiration, a story of a young girl who started weightlifting by curiosity and after 16 years she brought home the Silver Medal in Rio Olympics for Philippines."
And now that she's living proof that dreams coupled with hard work can come true, this book will definitely give hope to many children. "This book is good for the kids. Its a book that gives them the desire to dream, to work hard, and work smart to achieve their dream." She also adds, "This book is the story of my life to inspire the younger generation to dream high and tell them to reach their dream but they have to work hard because there is no instant in life."
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And during this challenging time in our lives, she hopes that this book will inspire many, "we need inspiration, hope, and care." And yes, Hidilyn, you give us hope for the future. Thank you for all that you do—the past, the present, and the future.
- Ginto’t Pilak is sold at ₱99.00, available in Anvil Publishing, Shopee, and Lazada.