Filipino Brands Celebrate Hidilyn Diaz for Winning the Olympic Gold

On 26 Jul 2021, Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz made history by winning the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medal at the women’s 55kg weightlifting category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The victory marked a turning point not just in Philippine sports, but also in how the nation celebrates its athletes. What began as a moment of triumph quickly turned into a nationwide celebration that lifted spirits during a challenging time.

More than four years later, the impact of that win is still being felt. From 2021 until now, Hidilyn Diaz continues to receive offers, recognitions, and long term privileges tied to her Olympic gold, proving that her achievement did not fade after the Games ended. Filipino brands, in particular, were among the first to respond, using creativity, humour, and national pride to honour her historic feat.

How Filipino brands are cheering on

Image credit: Tokyo 2020 Official Instagram Page

From Starbucks to IKEA Philippines, Filipino companies celebrated Hidilyn Diaz’s win using clever wordplay and striking visuals in their social media posts. Some brands, like McDonald’s Philippines, relied purely on the strength of their iconic logo to deliver a congratulatory message. Others took a more playful approach, including a plastic manufacturing company that posted the line “Wag na tayong magplastikan,” poking fun at the sudden surge of brand tributes.

These posts quickly gained traction online, showing how Diaz’s victory resonated beyond sports and into everyday Filipino culture.

Check out the posts that went viral below:

Toyota Philippines

Smart

Starbucks Philippines

McDonald’s Philippines

Max’s Restaurant

Orocan Philippines

Uratex Philippines

Philippine Airlines

Cebu Pacific

Puregold

IKEA Philippines

Netflix Philippines

What an Olympic gold medalist wins in prizes

As of 29 Jul 2021, Hidilyn Diaz received an estimated ₱43.5 million in cash and incentives for bringing home the country’s first Olympic gold medal.

These rewards included ₱10 million from the Philippine government under Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act; ₱10 million pledged by Ramon Ang and Manny Pangilinan; ₱3 million from Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero; ₱2.5 million from the local government of Zamboanga City; and a house and lot in Tagaytay City, among others.

Image credit: Tokyo 2020 Official Instagram Page

In honour of her achievement, AirAsia granted Hidilyn Diaz a lifetime of free flights to over 180 destinations within its route network. Philippine Airlines also awarded her 80,000 air miles every year for life, officially making her the airline’s first ever forever flyer.

Even years after Tokyo 2020, these long term rewards remain active, and Diaz continues to be recognised as a symbol of excellence, discipline, and national pride.

Also read: The First Filipino Olympics Gold Medallist And Her Well-Earned Prizes

Truly, Hidilyn Diaz’s record breaking victory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics remains one of the most defining moments in Philippine sports history. The continued recognition she receives today shows that her gold medal was not just a win for one moment in time, but a legacy that still inspires Filipinos everywhere. What do you think of these Filipino brands and companies celebrating an Olympic gold medalist? Let us know in the comments section of our official Facebook page.

Featured image credit: Tokyo 2020 | Official Instagram Page