Free fuel for life, P5M await Hidilyn Diaz — Phoenix Petroleum

Dennis Uy-led Phoenix Petroleum, through its Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation Inc., has pledged to reward Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medalist, P5 million in cash and a lifetime of free fuel.

In a statement on Tuesday, Phoenix Petroleum said the foundation committed to give Diaz the said incentives in celebration of her victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“It was our vision when we organized the foundation to rally the private sector to help our athletes in their quest for the Olympic gold, and now we have our first gold medal. I wish Hidilyn the best and we shall continue to support our Filipino athletes so we can have more golds in the future,” Uy said.

In a separate text message, Siklab Atleta executive director and Phoenix Petroleum spokesperson Raymond Zorilla confirmed that the company, through the foundation, will give the Olympic gold medalist P5 million incentive and free fuel for life.

Private-sector initiated Siklab Atleta was launched on March 3, 2018 with the goal of supporting athletes who have the best chance to win in the world’s most prestigious sporting event.

“Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation will fuel the Philippine’s best athletes to make the country’s dream of bagging an Olympic gold a reality,” Uy, who heads Siklab Atleta and chairs Phoenix Petroleum, said.

Uy is also the Presidential Adviser for Sports.

“We need to provide our athletes the support befitting their stature as our country’s representative to the world,” he said.

On top of the incentives from Phoenix Petroleum, Diaz is set to receive unlimited flights for life from AirAsia, a P14-million condominium from Megaworld Corp., P4-million house and lot from PHirst Park Homes, and a combined P35.5 million in cash reward from the government, politicians, and businessmen.

Diaz won the country's first gold medal in the Olympics after conquering the women's 55-kg weightlifting event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Monday at the Tokyo International Forum.

She finished with a total score 224 kg, lifting 97 in the snatch and 127 in the clean & jerk to outduel China's Liao Qiuyun for the gold.

Her historic win ended a near century-long Olympic gold medal drought since the Philippines first competed in the games in 1924.

Diaz also became the most decorated Filipino Olympian in history with two recognitions under her name after previously winning a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. — RSJ, GMA News