History buffs can testify that women in the past were just homemakers, especially within patriarchal societies. However, little did the past generations realize that women are more than just wives and mothers. As the concept of women empowerment continue to influence many, women began stepping to the limelight and made history. Among these are the Filipina athletes who brought honor to the Philippines in Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Gender Stereotypes No More
In a trending post by Carlo Pamintuan, he said that one should not stereotype genders anymore because of the string of female athletes in the Tokyo Olympics.
“A female boxer, weightlifter, skateboarder. A male gymnast. When a child wants to try a sport, any sport, support them. Screw your gender stereotypes. Our athletes can be world-class if we allow them to be.”
Carlo Pamintuan
Hence, basketball can also be for women as ballet to men. We have been wired to allocate a specific sport to a gender, but we should realize that it does not define the strength of an athlete. Athletes are more than just their genders.
Carlo Pamintuan added “We were one, hindi pwede, panlalaki/pambabae lang yan, from not having these Olympians.”
If you are wondering who Carlo Pamintuan is, then he is a sports writer on a local tv channel which is TV 5.
The Philippine Women (Filipina) who made History
Before we gaze upon the defiance of our Filipina athletes, let us go to the memory lane. Let us further see how Filipinas made history in their own respective niches. This list is based on Tatler’s article on International Women’s Month.
Miriam Defensor Santiago
Do you still remember the great senator Miriam? She who always grace the senate for his wits and knack for intellectual sarcasms? Well, she is more than that.
As one of the Filipinas who made history, she has represented the Philippines in the aspect of politics. The International Criminal Court (ICC) was one of the respected legal institutions in the world. Did you know that Miriam Santiago was the first Filipino and Asian judge at ICC? What’s great about this is she is a woman! Who could have thought that a woman can slay the ICC halls?
Anastacia Giron-Tupas
In the field of medicine, we have Anastacia Tupas who served as the first chief nurse and superintendent at the Philippine General Hospital.
Lea Salonga
How about the Disney voice and Broadway star Lea Salonga? Imbued with world-class singing voice, Lea Salonga had the chance to be the first Asian female to play Eponine and Fantine in Les Misérables. Besides, she was the first Asian women to win a Laurence Olivier award. On the other hand, she has slain the field of Broadway through her unparalleled awards. First, she won Best Direction of a Musical. Lastly, she was awarded with Best Performance by a Leading Actress in Miss Saigon.
Indeed, Lea Salonga is an epitome of what Filipina women can do and leave a legacy.
Gloria DIaz
How about the stunning Gloria Diaz that we know today? She was the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown in 1969.
Cory Aquino
Of course, history tells us that Cory Aquino is the very first female president in the Philippines.
Aimee Carandang
Are you a Filipina who’s aiming to soar high above the clouds? Take inspiration from Aimee Carandang who is the first female commercial pilot who was able to tell the whole world that women can conquer the atmosphere in 1993.
Lastly, other remarkable Filipinas include Paz Marquez-Benitez, Angelita Castro-Kelly, Concepción Felix de Calderón, Kelsey Merritt, and Carina Dayondon. They have significantly raised the flag of Women Power. Thus, breaching the stigma that women are just homemakers.
The Filipina Athletes Slaying the Olympic Arena
Hidilyn Diaz: The Filipina athlete who lifted the country to victory
Now in the field of sports, women are also ruling it! Recently, a Filipina athlete has made the very first record of achieving gold in the Tokyo Olympics. Her name is Hidilyn Diaz.
For years of hard work and perseverance, this 30-year-old Filipina athlete has finally soared the highest through an Olympic record in the women’s 55-kg class in Tokyo.
Diaz’s inspiring story began when she was just a teenager as she graced through poverty. According to her interview with Jessica Soho, her humble beginnings are mostly carrying water back to their home. Furthermore, she recalls traversing a 4-kilometer path just to get water for her family.
However, this struggle continues especially when her team was forced to train at home because of the pandemic. In her Instagram post, she said that during the lockdown, she still trained despite the odds. In fact, she was able to train by just carrying two gallons of water.
“Yes, I do this. I carry a bottle of water for my weightlifting training. It’s hard but we survive, still living the dream in my heart.” – Hidilyn Diaz
Jesus: My Ultimate Weightlifter
Among the success stories of an athlete, Diaz has this remarkable Christian faith. If you see her photos, then you can see that she is wearing two medals during that time. These are the Olympic gold medal and the Miraculous Medal of Mary.
Truly, Diaz won by faith and by perseverance.
In the 2017 issue of Kerygma magazine of the Light of Jesus Family, Diaz was featured. In this interview, she recalled how she was able to carry the weights with God.
“I smiled and calmed down. I was not alone in this fight. And this wasn’t for me anymore. It was all for Him. Whispering one more prayer of surrender. I lifted the barbell in front of me, giving my best with Jesus’ love as my strength. And my life was never the same again.”
Hidilyn Diaz
Margielyn Didal: The Filipina Athlete Champion in the Hearts of Everyone
Another Filipina athlete who slain the Olympic arena is the Filipina athlete skateboarder named Margielyn Didal. Although she was not able to make it to the cut, she definitely won the hearts of many because of her genuine character.
Among her fans are the Brazilians who definitely adore Margielyn’s uplifting spirits. Moreover, Tokyo Olympics has even recognized her by posting on their twitter account. It says “this will be known as the “Margielyn Didal seal approval.” This photo was taken after Margielyn has fallen out of tracks.
Nesthy Petecio: The Filipina athlete who punched to victory.
Who would have thought that a Filipina athlete will take the punch to victory? Although she was not able to ace for gold, still she made history by being the first Filipina athlete boxer to gain an Olympic silver medal.
Finally, let us continue to support not just our Filipina athletes, but all of the bemedaled 19 athletes in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Camella Manors: The condo home where you can be great
Our athletes really inspired us that we can go beyond our capabilities such as the grit of women. They taught us that no gender could stop us from becoming world-class and bringing the Filipino pride to the international arena. With this, you need to be in a home where life’s best is given to you in order for you to become great in your chosen field.
If you are aiming to become one of our athletes in the Olympics someday, then you may enjoy the privilege of having a fitness gym in the community. Apart from that, the Camella Manors community will surely be rooting for you!
Always remember, dreams don’t die because of failing, it dies because you gave up. Let the stories of these Filipina athletes as well as the other Filipino athletes inspire you to thrive despite the challenges.
