HIDILYN Diaz’s dream became reality on Valentine’s eve.
The petite 25-year-old pride of Zamboanga, who lifted Philippine sports on her broad shoulders by winning a silver medal in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics, was formally bestowed the coveted title Athlete of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) during its Annual Awards Night presented by San Miguel and MILO on Monday at the LE PAVILLON in Pasay City.
Diaz was personally presented her trophy by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose “Peping” Cojuango, and PSA president Riera Mallari of Manila Standard during the formal gathering co-presented by CIGNAL/HYPER HD, recognizing the top sports achievers of the year passed.
In her short acceptance speech, the bubbly weightlifter admitted how she yearned to be named Athlete of the Year by the country’s oldest media organization as she recalled setting her goal during last year’s staging of the formal event where she was a recipient of a citation award.
“Last year, I was here at PSA, I also won an award,” Diaz, radiant in her back-less, long green gown, said. “I told myself, next year (2017), I will become Athlete of the Year.
“Nothing is impossible with God,” she said, drawing cheers and applause from the audience. “Everything is possible with perseverance and discipline. This is truly very important for me.”
Diaz went on and expressed her gratitude to the POC, PSC, PSA, PWA, friends, teammates, family, and God for challenging and supporting her in realizing her dream.
“It was always my dream to receive this award,” she said. “Now I am holding this prize. I really worked hard which is why I achieved my goal.”
Diaz was the star on this night when Asia’ first Grandmaster Eugene Torre was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, Philip Ella Juico named as the Executive of the Year, and racer Milo Rivera the recipient of the President’s Award.
“Thank you PSA for inspiring us (athletes), thank you for motivating us, thank you for provoking us to give our best, and thank you for honoring us, especially with me, you have been very generous to me,” said Torre when it was his turn to address the sports community during the gathering held in partnership with the PSC, Smart, Phoenix Petroleum, Foton, ICTSI, Globalport, Mighty Sports, and Rain or Shine.
It was a double celebration for Juico, the former PSC chairman, as the National Sports Association of the Year (NSA) was handed to the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, of which he is currently the president.
“We just received two awards. I think we must be doing something right,” Juico said during the affair also backed by the Philippine Basketball Association, Federal Land, SM Prime Holdings Inc., Meralco, ACCEL, NLEX, MVP Sports Foundation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
In a touching moment, a video tribute and posthumous award were extended to departed sports legends Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga, Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan, and Filomeno “Boy” Codinera, represented by their respective children, Chito Loyzaga, Ebing Dalupan, and Jerry Codinera.
Meanwhile, named as Stars of the Night were Ancilla Mari Manzano of gymnastics and karter Khazart William Khaz Romoff.