Four-time Olympian Hidilyn Diaz did not only win the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal on Monday, she also won it big on social media.
Diaz was the most-mentioned athlete on Facebook and the third most-mentioned on Instagram across the globe over the past 24 hours since her historic win.
She overtook American gymnast Simone Biles and Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal.
Over this same period, Facebook said the Philippines was the country that talks most about the Olympics on the platform, besting the United States and India.
The Philippine flag emoji also landed a podium finish, ranking as the third most-used emoji on the app during the same period.
Meanwhile, Filipinos from all walks of life have come forward to offer rewards for Diaz.
In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Trenas said the local government unit will reward Diaz with lifetime free batchoy and pancit molo, the city’s popular delicacies.
The 30-year-old Zamboanga native will also receive lifetime free accommodation during the Dinagyang when mass gatherings are allowed, according to the report from Daily Guardian online.
In Manila, a tricycle driver also promised to give a lifetime free ride to Diaz.
“Ms. Hidilyn Diaz dahil dyan libre na rin kayo sa pagsakay sa aking pinapasadang tricyle. Lifetime po,” wrote Alfredo Antipasado in his Facebook post that was shared by netizens.
In Tacloban City, a litigation lawyer and sports fan, Aljim Denver Arcueno, is also ready to offer free legal consultations to Diaz as a gift for her historic achievement. Arcueno, who is married to another lawyer in the city, is the corporate secretary of local publication Leyte Samar Daily Express.
