Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist and now BDO’s newest brand ambassador, admitted on October 27 that she made horrible decisions when it comes to her earnings.
Diaz shared that her first ‘poor judgment’ was not making any profit in the gym she built after winning silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“After winning sa Rio Olympics nang silver medal, s’yempre may nagbigay ng prize money. Ang ginawa ko, bumili ako ng lupa, tapos no’n pinatayo ko nang gym. Pero wala ako na ni singko akong nakuha, wala akong profit doon.”
However, she did not think of it as a wrong decision since it is for the kids who aspire to become the next weightlifting champion of the Philippines. She was disappointed in herself for not being able to give back to herself.
“Kaya lang siguro mali ang ginawa ko lahat binigay ko, lahat binili ko at hindi ‘yon tama. Dapat may percentage po. Yun ang dapat kong matutunan at mag ipon-ipon din.
“Okay yung mabait, pero dapat may percentage para sa sarili mo, percentage para sa ipon, percentage sa investment, percentage sa pagbibigay sa pamilya, enjoyment, siguro travel.”
When she started her journey to become the country’s top weightlifter, Diaz admitted that she struggled to handle her finances as the family’s breadwinner.
After receiving incentives from weightlifting competitions, she bought material things, an iPhone, which led to her second wrong decision.
“May mga time na ‘pag may incentives, bumibili ako nang mga material things like cellphone, iPhone.
“Hanggang sa nahawakan ko yung phone parang… hindi naman pala ‘to… alam mo ‘yung ‘pag bumili ka ang saya mo pero after a day wala na pala.
“So yun ang mga pagsisisi na nararamdaman ko nung bata ako. Hanggang ngayon naman may mga time na gano’n eh,” she revealed.
Now that she’s a top-tier athlete, Diaz said she told the press that she has now stopped supporting her family after her 2016 Olympic win.
“Sa handling ng pera, siguro sa haba ng panahon ng pagiging atleta, 19 years na ako sa pagiging atleta. So nung una, tumutulong talaga ako sa pamilya. But after 2016, sinabi ko kailangan ko munang magbigay sa sarili ko.”
As BDO’s latest ambassador, Diaz noted the bank’s features enticed her to become one of its representatives.
“First, BDO dahil number one bank. Ako s’yempre gold standard ‘yan eh. Pipiliin natin ang number one.
“Second, may Kabayan Savings Account so gaya ko, parang naging OFW na rin. Tapos yung mga pinsan ko may BDO account din, Kabayan account, so nakaka-relate ako sa kanila.
“Tapos siguro yung gusto ko rin ay easy access. Kasi may app ang BDO eh. Noong nasa ibang bansa kami, nasa Malaysia ako, s’yempre for how many years ako doon, tinitignan ko lang sa app yung kung magkano na lang ang balance ko.
“Tapos ginagamit ko ang ATM doon. Kasi p’wede mong gamitin ang ATM sa ibang bansa kaya gustung-gusto ko ang BDO. Tapos mura ang fee kapag nagwi-withdraw ka.”
Aside from the struggles in the financing, Diaz also shared what led her to aspire to give the Philippines its first-ever gold medal.
Apparently, it all started when she became a wildcard in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Diaz, who met the best of the best athletes worldwide, dreamed of belonging to the group.
“Tapos nakita ko sina Bolt, sina Phelps, tapos mga NBA. Sabi ko, ‘Wow pang-world class pala ang Olympics.’ Sabi ko pa, ‘Next time hindi na ako wildcard, gusto na ako mag-qualify.’
“Siguro nung 2008 doon ako naging open yung mind ko na may Olympics pala, na ito pala ang pinakamataas na laro sa buong mundo,” she recalled.
Diaz then earned a spot in the 2012 London Summer Olympics but failed to complete her lift, making her feel a “loser.”
“Nung time na ‘yon hindi pa. Sabi ko lang mag-qualify. 2012, nag-qualify ako kaso did not finish ako. Nung time na ‘yon na-feel ko na loser ako, na nakakahiya kasi Olympics ‘yon eh. Tapos flag bearer pa ako nung time na ‘yon at nakakahiya.”
She then said, “‘Babawi ako, babawi ako.’ 2016, nakita niyo nanalo ako nang silver medal sa Rio.”
But her silver win did not stop her from getting the gold as she thought, “Then after that, kasi may injury pa ako, sabi ko, ‘Hindi, kaya kong mag-gold, kaya kong mag-gold.'”
Come 2020, Diaz finally gave the Philippines its first gold medal in weightlifting.
