For golden Pinay athletes, Asian Games victory all about women power

Women have been responsible for all three gold medals of the Philippines so far in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

On Tuesday, a rousing ovation welcomed weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan and Kaye Go at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Diaz won the gold medal in the women's 53-kg. weightlifting competition. Saso won an individual gold medal in women's golf, before teaming up with Pagdanganan and Go for the team gold in the sport.

In a press conference after their arrival, Go reflected on what it means to bring home the hardware as female athletes.

"Right now, women around the world are empowering the world. And it's really nice to see all these three ladies win the gold medal for the Philippines," Go said.

"They're definitely very talented players and it just means the world to us that we are able to represent not only the Philippines but also women in general in sports in the world and, just, in life," she added.

Diaz, for her part, is heartened that a younger group of women — Pagdanganan is 20, Go is 19, while Saso is 17 — is carrying the torch for the country.

"Masaya ako na makita na nag-go-grow ang sports sa Pilipinas," she said, noting the youth of the golfers, particularly Saso.

"Siyempre ako 27, tapos siya 17... so ang haba-haba pa rin ng lalaruin niya. And hopefully mas marami pang ma-e-enggage sa sports kasi nakaka-proud na i-representa ang Pilipinas," she added. —JST, GMA News