This week, the Philippines saw many victories, courtesy of strong women who – rightfully so – overshadowed an almost three-hour long State of the Nation Address (SONA).
When Hidilyn Diaz bagged the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal, a feat 97 years in the making, there was an overflow of pride, joy, and tears from Filipinos.
The sentiment online was roaring: a sense of collective victory after what seemed like years of defeats. The losses came from a strongman who refused to fight for the country’s sovereignty, and was dismal in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diaz did not just break the Olympic record during the Tokyo Games, she also managed to lift the spirit of a tired nation.
For Twitter user @vaneillaxxx, the victory was made even more memorable because Filipino equestrian star Mikee Cojuangco – the first Asian woman executive board member of the International Olympic Committee – handed the well-deserved gold medal to Diaz.
It’s such a proud moment to see Mikee Cojuangco, the first Filipina and Asian woman to be elected as a Board Member of the IOC, awarding the Olympic GOLD medal to Hidilyn Diaz, a Filipina and the first olympic gold medalist of the Philippines. The power that Filipinas hold!!!
— vee ☾ #LetLeniLead (@vaneillaxxx) July 27, 2021pic.twitter.com/xJlSZsz43l
Diaz’s victory grabbed the spotlight away from a president known for his expletives and misogynistic statements in public speeches.
I guess it’s only fitting that Du30 immediately gets upstaged by a woman. Congratulations, Hidilyn Diaz!
— Pocster (@pocster) July 26, 2021#Tokyo2020 #OlympicGames
On the day of his last SONA, a woman unfairly included in the drug matrix wins the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines. Coincidence or a foretelling? The last man standing is a woman.
— Gideon V. Peña (@attygideon) July 26, 2021
Thank you Hidilyn Diaz for giving us a reason to be proud to be Filipinos today.
Many Twitter users likened Diaz’s win to poetic justice.
imagine The Philippines' first #gold medal at the #Olympics was won by Hidilyn Diaz — a WOMAN?
— rich •
MISOGYNISTS? OUT!
PATRIARCHY? IBAGSAK!
The SONA? OVERSHADOWED! pic.twitter.com/TgwbPwNEfx(@richardmz13) July 26, 2021
(@richardmz13) Hidilyn Diaz was maliciously tagged in Duterte ouster plot after she voiced the extreme lack of support for athletes in the Philippines. THIS IS A POWERFUL AND SYMBOLIC WIN— and a huge F U to a gov’t that lets its people down AND that looks down on women.pic.twitter.com/aGasvJp6c1
— Ash Presto(@sosyolohija) July 26, 2021
(@sosyolohija) And it seemed there was no shortage of good news, brought to us by another strong woman from the Philippine team. Nesthy Petecio became the first Filipina boxer assured of an Olympic medal, securing at least a bronze for the country.
With the guaranteed medal, Petecio ensured a multiple medal streak at the Olympics for the Philippines for the first time in 89 years.
Women athletes bringing glory to the Philippines. Laban Nesthy! Bronze secured!
— mark geronimo (@markgeronimo_) July 28, 2021
Also earlier this week, skateboarder Margielyn Didal captured hearts online because of her cheerful attitude and outstanding sportsmanship in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Despite failing to win the event, Didal clearly enjoyed her journey as an Olympic athlete, and so did the netizens.
Margielyn Didal's energy today was infectious, her moves, smiles, and genuine joy skating were amazing! She won my heart
— Not Just a Fanfiction Writer
The Philippines should be so proud#skateboarding pic.twitter.com/mvG0ifAQwu
(@EzraLoAcire) July 26, 2021
(@EzraLoAcire) Even the official Twitter account of the Tokyo Olympics recognized Didal’s “seal [of] approval.”
This will be known as the "Margielyn Didal seal approval"
— #Tokyo2020 (@Tokyo2020) July 26, 2021pic.twitter.com/tWolMAQykq
Didal, just like Diaz and other Filipino athletes, had to overcome a lot of challenges, including the lack of support from the government. The 2018 Asian Games gold medalist had been calling for local governments to provide skate parks for budding athletes.
Can we also show our love and support for Margielyn Didal? Proud of you for placing 7th in Tokyo2020 Olympics regardless of not having a skatepark to practice at the PH!
— d (@messyrable_) July 27, 2021https://t.co/etoeTkGkaU
Apart from Diaz, Petecio, and Didal, golf phenom and 2021 US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso, and 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Irish Magno are strong contenders for this year’s Olympics.
The Tokyo Olympics may be a short event compared to the long six years under a misogynistic leader fond of sexist jokes, but these were indeed strong and powerful victories for our Filipina athletes, and we were just getting started. Abante, babae!
On Monday night it was Hidilyn Diaz. Today it's Nesthy Petecio.
— Kel, level 23
Both women. Both with Olympic medals. Petecio can win more than an assured bronze, though, as she advances to the semifinals.
Abante, babae!#OustDuterte #JunkTerrorLaw (@jmtanon) July 28, 2021
#OustDuterte #JunkTerrorLaw (@jmtanon) – Rappler.com