Two sisters from Rizal Province hand-crafted a doll version of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz for the honor the lady weightlifter gave to the country in winning the Philippines' first gold medal.
Lorichelle Celestra Alapad and Lorily Celestra Darag, who are twins and makers of Carika Dolls, from Baras, Rizal, told the Manila Bulletin that they want to give Diaz her doll version.
The identical twins became famous for creating Carika Dolls, which are made from rubber foams, of Pope Francis and President Duterte, among others.
Lorichelle said the "Hidilyn Doll" measures 15 inches in height and carries a barbell. The handcrafted doll has a gold medal that looks similar to the medal received by Diaz in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. It has a blue jersey, a pair of white shoes, and wrist bands just like what Diaz wore during her winning moment in Tokyo.
Diaz is currently staying in a hotel in Pasay City for her mandatory quarantine following her arrival from Tokyo on July 28.
“Iniisip pa po namin kung paano po namin maibibigay nang personal kay Hidilyn yung ginawa naming Hidilyn Doll (We are still thinking of how can we personally give to Hidilyn our Hidilyn Doll?),” Alapad said.
Two other Rizal Province residents - a young entrepreneur, and a lady doctor, have pledged to give Diaz their own tokens of appreciation for the lady Olympian’s victory in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“We hope that through Manila Bulletin, Hidilyn would know that we are very proud of her that is why we would like to give her as a gift her version of our Carika Doll," the Ceklestra sisters said.