By WAYLON GALVEZ
Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is doing her own part to raise funds in her effort to provide food to the poor as well as to frontliners fighting the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.
Diaz, through her Instagram account, posted Tuesday an online weightlifting seminar – from techniques, experience and knowledge with the sport – and asked participants to donate.
The 28-year-old lifter said proceeds would be used to purchase food, which she intends to distribute to the poor people in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Zamboanga City – her birthplace.
Diaz also said that she wants to help the health workers by providing them additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as they continue to serve the sick.
“Yes idea ko po,” said Diaz in a chat Tuesday evening. “Actually naiinggit ako sa mga singers and artista, kakanta sila then marami ng nagdo-donate at naka-contribute and nakatulong na sila sa kapwa, at sa bansa natin.”
“Mas madali sana sa akin kung nandiyan ako,” added Diaz, who is currently in Malaysia – a country that is also on lockdown like the Philippines because of the health crisis – with Chinese mentor Kaiwen Gao, strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo, and massage therapist Belen Bañas.
Diaz said that by sharing her experience, knowledge and techniques, it would encourage people to join the seminar this month, and be able to raise fund from donations from participants.
Following her post, Diaz disclosed there were already 20 individuals and P20,000 total donation. She said that interested parties can donate cash assistance between P500 to P2,000.
“Ang food package po nagkakahalaga ng P480-P490. More on gulay po ibibigay namin. Also, titignan din po kung kaya din magbigay sa organizations for PPE for the front liners,” she said.
“They can go to my IG account (@hidilyndiaz) and meron link, click po sila dun to participate then nandun narin po ang mga information san nila puwede maipadala yung donation,” said Diaz, adding that some family members in the country will be helping her with the food distributions.
Diaz said that since she is in KL, she would be using multiple teleconference applications to accommodate participants. She would be doing it by batches if necessary to accommodate everybody.
Bottom line, according to Diaz, is to be able to do something and provide help. Although she already made her contribution during the early stages of the lockdown here, she said there are still ways to continue supporting others.
“It’s a personal advocacy po talaga,” said Diaz.
“Whatever situation we are right now, we have to be positive and be light to other people. To my fellow athletes we can share our talent and contribute to our country in our own little way.”
“But I think the best contribution is to stay home, stay healthy and stay strong,” added Diaz.
