GMA News reporter Saleema Refran reacted to the press conference that she did with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz who recently won a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
On July 26, Diaz gave the Philippines its first-ever Olympics gold medal after winning the women’s 55-kg weightlifting event held at the Tokyo International Forum.
The Filipina weightlifter held a press conference with a group of Philippine reporters, which was broadcasted live on the ABS-CBN News Facebook account.
Refran was one of the reporters who interviewed Diaz.
The GMA News reporter took a screenshot of the conference and posted it on her Instagram story. She noted that she wanted to win a gold medal in the Olympics; that’s why she also wanted to lift like Diaz.
However, she quipped that she would lift her chair instead of weights.
“Pangarap ko rin po talagang maka-gold sa Olympics.
“Hindi po ako si Hidilyn Diaz. Pero bukas na bukas po magbubuhat po ako… ng bangko,” she captioned along with laughing face and peace sign emoji.
The statement is a Filipino term that means to boast or praise oneself. Refran did not seem to be boastful and only wanted to make a witty joke.
Sports reporter Dyan Castillejo also posted about the said press conference on her Twitter account.
Hidilyn Diaz (@diaz_hidilyn) greets the Philippine media for the first time since her historic gold medal win in #Tokyo2020 | @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/kzuZlo606g
— Dyan Castillejo (@DYANCASTILLEJO) July 27, 2021
Diaz’s win in the weightlifting event ended the Philippines ‘ 97-year wait for a gold medal in the Olympics.
Her victory received praises from the Filipinos and several celebrities like Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Agot Isidro, and Janine Gutierrez.