Hidilyn Diaz, Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medal winner

Hidilyn Diaz’s historic gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was one of the best things that happened this 2021. Not only did she end the country’s 97-year Olympic gold medal drought but she also made every single Filipino proud. For Diaz’s weightlifting triumph, she was showered with many prizes ranging from lifetime free flights to a number of million-peso accommodations.

But apart from bringing home the gold, perhaps the best thing she did was to encourage Filipino athletes to never give up on their dreams. After all, it took her four Olympic meets to finally reach hers. Diaz’s win and the story of her hardships in training also opened up conversations on how our government should be treating our athletes better. Hopefully, officials will lend an ear to make sure we properly train potential future Olympic gold medalists.

 

Nesthy Petecio, Tokyo 2020 Olympics boxing silver medalist

Hidilyn wasn’t the only woman Filipinos were cheering on during the Olympics. Everyone tuned in to watch Nesthy Petecio punch her way to a podium finish and she didn’t disappoint. She brought home a silver medal for the women’s featherweight boxing, the first Filipina to do so. Nesthy was flooded with gifts and rewards back home — P17 million cash prize, a house and lot, free miles, and more. This Filipina taught us that when you set your sights on what you want and work hard for it, no doubt you’ll get it. Just look at her, the Olympics was a distant dream but Nesthy turned it into reality.

 

Margielyn Didal, Tokyo 2020 Olympics skateboarder

Until it is my turn, I’ll keep cheering for others.

Margielyn Didal is the epitome of Sportsmanship. My heart goes out to this athlete. #Olympics #skateboarding pic.twitter.com/VYyhDdinX4

— Lakay (@LakasNgTimog) July 27, 2021

Although Olympic skateboarder Margielyn Didal didn’t bring home a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she still won everyone’s hearts. Margielyn obviously had a lot of fun competing and befriending her competitors. So much so that she made waves online for photobombing as many photos as she can. Her sportsmanship and cheerful demeanor definitely showed everyone that the Olympics is not all about competitions. It’s about bringing the world’s best athletes together and enjoying what life has to offer.

no one is having more fun here than the Philippines’ Margielyn Didal pic.twitter.com/g4qAdxfd1v

— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) July 26, 2021

 

Yuka Saso, 2021 US Women’s Open champion

Golfer Yuka Saso made history after she bagged the 2021 US Women’s Open in golf, the Philippines’ first major golf tournament win. She was just 19 years old at the time with a decade of golfing under her belt. Yuka joined many golf competitions, even winning double gold at the 2018 Asian Games. Unfortunately, Filipino-Japanese Yuka won’t be playing for the Philipines anymore. Last November, the golfer announced that she has decided to become a Japanese national, following Japan’s nationality law. But even if she plays for another country, her Filipino fans are still going to be proud of all of her future wins.

 

Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

CONGRATULATIONS!

LOOK: Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov officially receives their Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway on Friday, December 11.

Ressa is the first Filipino to win the award. | 📸: AFP pic.twitter.com/5Cf5ayWcDg

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) December 10, 2021

Journalist Maria Ressa brought honor to our country when she was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize last October. The Rappler CEO, alongside Dimitry Muratov from Russia, was presented with the award in recognition of her efforts to fight for freedom of expression. Ressa is the first Filipino Nobel laureate (and a Pinay at that too!) who has now joined the list of other awardees such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and more. However, her recognition did receive its share of backlash — from a local author who deemed her not worthy to the hesitant government support for her historic feat. In the end, Ressa successfully flew to Oslo, Norway to accept her award and deliver an inspiring speech.

 

Hannah Reyes Morales, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize photographer

Photojournalist Hannah Reyes Morales was tapped to be one of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize photographers. She was tasked to depict the work of our own Nobel laureate Maria Ressa in photos that show disinformation and press freedom. Hannah described the task as “daunting,” saying that the important topics were a huge responsibility for her. But she, alongside Russian photojournalist Nanna Heitmann, successfully opened the exhibit last December 11 in Oslo, Norway. It will be open to the public for a year.

 

Beatrice Luigi Gomez, 70th Miss Universe Top 5 finalist

Beatrice Luigi Gomez did not bring home the coveted Miss Universe crown but she did place in the Top 5 and Filipinos are grateful. It’s the first time we’ve placed after Catriona Gray’s unforgettable win in 2018. Beatrice showed she was a queen through and through — from brushing off haters’ comments online to owning every fit. Even if some made fun of her for wearing “gym clothes” while other beauty queens around here were in full glam. Beatrice was unapologetic. She was strong and confident and her palaban attitude paid off in the end, energy that all of us need.

 

Leni Robredo, Vice President of the Philippines

Vice President Leni Robredo has probably had the toughest year out of all the women in our country. She was ever-present in serving the Filipino people — from free medical and COVID assistance to being the first to respond during natural calamities. All this she has done with little help and support from many leaders in our government. And yet, despite the opposition, she still chose to run as one of the country’s presidential bets for Halalan 2022. Despite vitriol and online hate from trolls hurled at her, she chose to flip her hair at the haters, don pink, and go into battle. VP Leni has displayed what a truly strong, independent woman should be like. And she has demonstrated that responsible actions speak louder than words.

Life Lessons We Learned From Mimiyuuuh and VP Leni’s Essential Lugaw Cooking Sesh

Life Lessons We Learned From Mimiyuuuh and VP Leni’s Essential Lugaw Cooking Sesh
Kyzia Maramara | Nov 08, 2021

 

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