Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo among winners in WomenBizPH's Babae Awards
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MANILA, Philippines — Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo is among the awardees in the 2nd Babae Awards of Women's Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH).The awarding ceremony was held on Tuesday in Parañaque."To the women in business here tonight, you know what it takes to build something from the ground up. You also know what it means when someone gives you your first chance, whether you mentor a young woman, hire her, or back her idea. You can be that person for someone else," Diaz said."And to every Filipina wondering what she can do with what she can become, give yourself permission to dream big...We can do it, women," she said.Diaz thanked all those behind the award "for this honor and for continuing to recognize my work in weightlifting and Philippine sports."She also congratulated her fellow awardees.The gold medal that Diaz won when she competed in weightlifting at the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo is the Philippines' first Olympic gold."I came from humble beginnings. When I first started weightlifting, I never imagined that I will become an Olympic champion...," she said.Diaz said that winning the Philippines' first Olympic gold medal in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic "gave us a moment of hope...We can do it.""That win also made me realize the responsibilty that comes with being someone young Filipinos look up to. I want to use that influence to give them a real chance to show what they can do," she said.The recipient introduction said Diaz is an educator and a part of the Philippine Air Force.She expressed pride in helping bring weightlifting to the Palarong Pambansa, adding that she hopes to see it among the competitions of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and of the National Collegiate Athletic Association someday.Also among the awardees is Cristina Lim-Yuson, Museo Pambata founder and president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines from 2021 to 2024. The recipient introduction mentioned her act of dedicating her life to education, the welfare of children, and the empowerment of young girls.Lawyer Lorna Kapunan won the Champion of Justice and Women's Rights Award.The Retail Icon and Business Leadership Award went to Robina Gokongwei-Pe.The Cultural Legacy Award went to National Artist for Fashion Design Patis Tesoro who is known as the "Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion."Also among the awardees is Vietnam's Madame Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh founder of WeLead—a network of trailblazing women leaders—and founder of the Asean Women Entrepreneurs Network.
Read the full story at The Manila Times.
