AFP’s Olympian Pride

Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz was promoted to Staff Sergeant in the Phil Air Force July 27, 2021. Photo from AFP Official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines/?ref=page_internal

Written by

Jude Bautista

Courage under fire. This is what our Olympians displayed in Tokyo the past two weeks. Ever wondered why they seem so unfazed in the face of so much adversity?

It’s not a coincidence that our Olympic boxers along with our historic first gold medalist weight lifter, are all members of the Armed Forces:

President Duterte salutes our Olympian Boxing Team via video conference August 9, 2021.

Hidilyn Diaz – promoted to Staff Sergeant Phil. Air Force, upon her return here from Tokyo last July 29 by PAF Chief Lt. Gen Allen Paredes.

Eumir Marcial – Bronze  medalist, Middle weight division, Sergeant Phil. Air Force

Irish Magno – Tokyo Olympics quarter finalist, Flyweight division, apprentice seaman Philippine Navy, pride of Ilo ilo.

Carlo Paalam – Silver medalist, Men’s flyweight division, apprentice Seaman of Philippine Navy

Nesthy Petecio – Silver medalist, Women’s featherweight division, Petty officer of Philippine Coastguard

A lot of our national athletes hail from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Which only makes sense because you have to be physically fit in order to defend the nation. The pandemic, however, has only exacerbated the role of the AFP as front liners. Especially now, as the ones enforcing the community quarantines around the country.

LOOK: Another GOLD for our Olympic Champ, Hidilyn Diaz! Bagay sa ‘yo ang gintong KIA Stonic. TOP OF THE LINE, katulad ng iyong performance sa #Tokyo2020.
We’re all very proud of you! #AtletangMagiting Ayala Foundation, Inc. AC Motors Kia Philippines Photo from: Ayala Corp official fb
https://www.facebook.com/AyalaCorporation/?ref=page_internal

Saludo Sa Serbisyo

One of the big prizes that Hidilyn Diaz has received is a bright yellow KIA Stonic from Ayala Corp. She was also recognized as ‘Atletang Magiting’ by the Ayala Foundation.

From Ayala Corp official fb : “The Ayala group’s support for Philippine weightlifters including Diaz dates back to 2016. This is when BPI turned over training equipment for the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Gym in Zamboanga. In 2018, Ayala Land, Inc. turned over a check donation to the members of the Samahang Weightlifters ng Pilipinas. As “Atletang Magiting,” Diaz will receive a top of the line Kia Stonic as a gift of gratitude from AC Motors and Kia Philippines.”

Another GOLD for our Olympic Champ, Hidilyn Diaz! Bagay sa ‘yo ang gintong KIA Stonic. TOP OF THE LINE, katulad ng iyong performance sa #Tokyo2020.
We’re all very proud of you! #AtletangMagiting Ayala Foundation, Inc. AC Motors Kia Philippines Photo from: Ayala Corp official fb
https://www.facebook.com/AyalaCorporation/?ref=page_internal

Most people have seen the photos and video on TV Patrol, of her receiving the top of the line and much coveted Compact  SUV. But not reaching the front pages is a laudable program by the conglomerate to support our men and women in uniform called SALUDO SA SERBISYO.

The program will benefit not just Irish, Nesthy, Eumir, Carlo and Hidilyn but all our enlisted personnel. They even extended the program to even those who have retired from the AFP or are inactive.

AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana (right) and Ayala Corporation president and chief executive officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala (left) show a copy of the memorandum of understanding for the ‘Saludo Sa Serbisyo’ program at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday (July 29, 2021). It is a needs-based program that gives uniformed personnel expanded access to the Ayala Group of Companies’ products and services, enabling them to pick the best support they need in every key milestone of their lives. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office) Photo from AFP Official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines/?ref=page_internal

In an  Aug 5, 2021 article written by Bryan Aaron Rivera: “Notably, this enables the uniformed personnel to pick the best support they need in every key milestone of their lives. One of which includes a special car and motorcycle package through AC Motors. Therefore, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), AFP, and other uniformed personnel, whether in active service or retired, will be able to enjoy exclusive discounts, packages, and other perks when they purchase cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles from Ayala-owned dealerships and distributor groups.

Aside from the special car and motorcycle package, here are other initiatives that have been successfully mounted with partner companies are the following:

Housing assistance program from Ayala Land

Financial education program through BPI Foundation

Health and Wellness program through AC Health and MDC

Livelihood programs through BPI Foundation, Ayala Malls, and Ayala Coop

Employment program for dependents in Partnership with Ayala Group HR Council

Employment program for retired officers through APMC

From Autodeal.com.ph article :

AC Motors cements partnership with ‘Saludo sa Serbisyo Program’

MOU

The program has been going on for quite some time. But was sealed with an MOU Signing last July 29 at Camp Aguinaldo: “The ‘Saludo sa Serbisyo’ program developed by the Ayala Corporation will be in full swing until 2026 and is a program that will absolutely aid in boosting the morale and in improving the lives of the men and women of the Armed Forces,” Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said.

(10) AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana (right) and Ayala Corporation president and chief executive officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala (left) at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday (July 29, 2021). (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)
Photo from AFP Official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines/?ref=page_internal

The project is a needs-based program that gives uniformed personnel expanded access to the group’s products and services, enabling them to pick the best support they need in every key milestone of their lives.

The program provides offers on housing and vehicles, and it hosts a venue for financial education and livelihood training as well as health and wellness caravans.

It also hopes to provide employment opportunities in various business units across the Ayala Group to AFP retirees and their qualified dependents. From pna.gov.ph :

AFP, Ayala ink pact on boosting support to troops By Priam Nepomuceno

Hero Foundation

Ayala Corp’s support for our troops does not end there. There are a few more programs apart from SALUDO SA SERBISYO. Other benefits include: “Housing Assistance from Ayala Land and Health and Wellness Caravan courtesy of AC Health – Healthway, Generika, and MDC Medical Team.

Several financial and investment opportunities were also offered by BPI, while AC Motors offered preferred rates on vehicles under the company’s umbrella of brands: Honda, Kia, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Maxus, and KTM.

From left: President Duterte and Quarter Finalist Irish Magno via video conference August 9, 2021.

Apart from SALUDO SA SERBISYO, Ayala Group also expresses its support to servicemen through its strong support to Hero Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides educational assistance to children of Filipino soldiers killed in action or totally incapacitated while in the line of duty.

The foundation gets an annual PHP5-million donation from Ayala Corp. and Ayala Land.

The educational stipend from the foundation helps orphaned students pay for school-related expenses.

With the help of the private sector, Hero Foundation has supported and served a total of 2,702 orphan scholars since 1988. From pna.gov.ph :

AFP, Ayala ink pact on boosting support to troops By Priam Nepomuceno

Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan and Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz in the brand new condo gifted by Megaworld Corp in Eastwood City. Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

Eastwood Township

By now, a lot of people are aware that Megaworld has gifted Hidilyn Diaz with a condo unit worth P14 million in Eastwood QC. Video of her family having dinner in the brand new condo have already surfaced.

(15) Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz’ new condo in Eastwood City, gifted by Megaworld Corp.
Photo from Megaworld fb
https://www.facebook.com/officialmegaworldcorp

Hidilyn nakuha na ang premyong condo at kotse | TV Patrol

Left unreported was the commitment of Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan in renovating the building’s gym for her needs. Albeit a corner of the expansive gym will be dedicated for Hidilyn, to allow her to train there as well.

Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan has committed to customizing a portion of the Eastwood Condo gym specifically for Hidilyn Diaz. Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

The statement came in the form of a facebook post by Kevin himself:

I am so proud and honored to personally turn over to Hidilyn Diaz her brand new condominium at Eastwood City, this morning. This is a gift from Megaworld Corporation to our new Hero, for making the entire country so proud.

Having spent some time with her this morning, I am totally blown away by her humility and her dedication to her sport. It was indeed a very challenging road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games. But she marched on with so much commitment and perseverance and brought home our first Gold medal.

Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan also turned over a portrait of Hidilyn by John Ken Gomez, a 21 years old Fine Arts student from FEU. Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

Congratulations Hidilyn and welcome to the Eastwood City Community

Also turned over a sketch painting by John Ken Gomez, a 21 years old Fine Arts student from FEU.

And of course we also gave her some hand-picked items from Pick.A.Roo to get her started in her new home

Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan handed over items from Pick.A.Roo to Hidilyn.
Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

Lastly, check out some photos of her new fully furnished condominium along with the gym and swimming pool amenities. We are gonna dedicate a special spot for her in the gym for her equipment and training.

Maraming Salamat Hidilyn Diaz for the pride and joy you have brought to all your Countrymen.

Statement from Kevin Tan official fb:

https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

(19) Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz’ new condo in Eastwood City, gifted by Megaworld Corp.
Photo from Megaworld fb
https://www.facebook.com/officialmegaworldcorp

Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan has committed to customizing a portion of the Eastwood Condo gym specifically for Hidilyn Diaz. Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

(21) Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan has committed to customizing a portion of the Eastwood Condo gym specifically for Hidilyn Diaz. Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

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From left: Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio, PAL Representative, Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam and Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial. Photo was taken at Haneda airport, Tokyo, on their return flight last August 9, 2021. Photo from PAL fb: https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineAirlines/

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(25) Photo from Eumirmarcial insta:
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From left: President Duterte and Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial via video conference August 9, 2021.

(27) Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz was promoted to Staff Sergeant in the Phil Air Force July 27, 2021. Photo from AFP Official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines/?ref=page_internal

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Handang masaktan kung kinakailangan.
–Carlo Paalam
Carlo Paalam Official facebook
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Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana takes a “groufie” with representatives of the Ayala Group led by Ayala president and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala at today’s MOU signing, which aims to strengthen a long-standing partnership between the two parties and bolster support to soldiers through the Saludo Sa Serbisyo program. PHOTO BY: Owen Cammayo, Executive Director of BPI Foundation
Photo from: Ayala Corp official fb
https://www.facebook.com/AyalaCorporation/?ref=page_internal

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Eastwood City Condo Pool; Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

(33) Photo from MVP Sports Foundation fb
https://www.facebook.com/mvpsfph/photos

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Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana takes a pic with representatives of the Ayala Group led by Ayala president and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala at today’s MOU signing, which aims to strengthen a long-standing partnership between the two parties and bolster support to soldiers through the Saludo Sa Serbisyo program. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office) Photo from AFP Official fb:
https://www.facebook.com/armedforcesofthephilippines/?ref=page_internal

(38) Photo from Eumirmarcial insta:
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(40) From left: Bronze Medalist Eumir Marcial, Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam, Silver Medalist Nesthy Petecio and Quarter Finalist Irish Magno. Photo was taken at NAIA airport on their arrival last August 9, 2021. Photo from Al S Panlilio Twitter https://twitter.com/ASPanlilio

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Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz’ new condo in Eastwood City, gifted by Megaworld Corp.
Photo from Megaworld fb
https://www.facebook.com/officialmegaworldcorp

(42) Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

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Megaworld EVP & CSO Kevin Tan also turned over a portrait of Hidilyn by John Ken Gomez, a 21 years old Fine Arts student from FEU. Photo from Kevin Tan Official fb
https://www.facebook.com/KevinTanOfficial/

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