The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino chair offers some words of wisdom for the Olympic champ
Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz has been showered with all the luxurious gifts worthy of a champion. There are numerous free dining offerings, a golden car, and a jaw-dropping P14-million condominium unit all coming from multiple private corporations. But for National Artist Virgilio Almario, famously known as Rio Alma, his gift for the Pinay weightlifter bears a true message and presents the beauty of the Filipino language and literature.
Last Aug. 8, 2021, the 77-year-old Filipino literary icon posted a tribute poem for the athlete titled, "Kay Hidilyn." It goes:
Nalulusaw iyang ginto,
Ang palakpak naglalaho;
Parangal ng ating bayan
Ingatan mo't walang-hanggan.
As the chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, and even before that through his work as a poet, Rio has long been championing the Filipino language. He continues to challenge all to see it as "eloquent, technical, rich, and precise" as other foreign languages.
Last month, Rio shared a timely poem with the Philippine Panorama titled "O, Kapitan! Kapitan Ko!"