The Department of Education (DepEd) honored "Palarong Pambansa” hero Lydia De Vega and expressed hope that young Filipinos will continue to be inspired by her contribution to Philippine sports.
“De Vega is a testament that we can achieve our dreams through hard work and sacrifices,” DepEd said in a statement on Aug. 14.
“We hope that her legacy will live on in the minds and hearts of young Filipinos,” DepEd added.
The agency also extended its “deepest condolences” to De Vega's bereaved family. At 57, the Filipino sports legend died after a battle with breast cancer on Aug. 10.
“Considered Asia's fastest woman in the 1980s, De Vega was able to dominate the Asian Athletics Championships, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games by bagging 15 golds, six silvers, and three bronzes for a total of 24 medals in her historic career,” DepEd said.
‘Palarong Pambansa’ hero
Before ruling the track in Asia, DepEd noted that De Vega was discovered at the “Palarong Pambansa” --- the country's biggest sporting event for basic education.
In 2018, DepEd honored De Vega with the “Palarong Pambansa Parangal Lifetime Achievement Award” for her contributions to Philippine sport.