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Last July, Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz brought glory, pride, and honor to the country as she won the Philippines' first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Now, she's in the spotlight once again as she joins the growing family of a well-loved Filipino fast-food chain.

And what better way to pay tribute to a modern-day hero than to share her inspiring story through a film?

Today, the brand's special film tribute to Hidilyn titled GINTO: A Hidilyn Diaz Kwentong Jollibee Special debuted, depicting the highs and lows of the Olympian's journey.

Actress Yanna Reblando portrayed Hidilyn in the film and the Filipina athlete herself also acted in it to relive her winning moment.

Hidilyn Diaz in GINTO: A Hidilyn Diaz Kwentong Jollibee Special / Source: Jollibee Studios (YouTube)

In a virtual special preview event with the media, Hidilyn got emotional while watching the film directed by award-winning filmmaker Pepe Diokno.

She said it brought her back to the times she was struggling and almost wanted to give up on her Olympic gold medal dream.

“Mahirap 'yung pinagdaanan ko,” Hidilyn tells GMANetwork.com. “Nung pinapanood ko nga 'yung Kwentong Jollibee (na) umiiyak ako, gusto ko ngang umiyak. Ito nga. Ito nga 'yon.”

She adds, “Nung kalagitnaan last year lockdown sa Malaysia, gusto ko nang sumuko sa ginagawa ko, pero bumabalik ako sa why ko.”

Hidilyn said it was the young ones who turn to her for inspiration that ultimately gave her the motivation to keep chasing the once elusive Olympic gold medal for the Philippines. “Sabi ko hindi puwedeng sumuko ang isang Hidilyn Diaz. Kasi sa'kin, maimpluwensya ako sa kabataan eh, after winning the silver medal sa Olympics."

“And hindi ako puwedeng sumuko dahil ako 'yung nagbibigay ng impluwensiya sa kanila, ng inspirasyon, so sabi ko gagamitin ko 'tong…sila 'yung inspirasyon ko kasi ayokong sumuko dahil ako ang nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataang Pilipino.”

Hidilyn Diaz during the special preview event with the media / Source: Jollibee/Stratworks

She also hopes to inspire more people especially now that we are still in the midst of the pandemic. “At ngayon, mas kailangan ng tao ng inspirasyon kaya hindi po ako sumuko. Kaya nandito po ako ngayon para i-share 'yung istorya ng buhay ko.”

Hidilyn also revealed what's next for her after her historic win. “Ako kasi as an athlete, babalik pa rin ako dun sa basic ko na nagti-training pa rin ako sa weightlifting. Maglalaro pa rin ako.”

But aside from continuing her career in weightlifting, Hidilyn also has other meaningful goals for herself and others.

“Then, 'yung future, what's next? Mag-aaral ako. Nag-aaral ako ngayon at gusto kong tapusin 'yon. Siyempre may gold medal na ko, pero gusto ko pa rin matuto pa, magkaroon ng diploma, para makapag-impluwensya ng maraming Pilipino. Then plano ko rin na ipagpatuloy 'yung pag-give back sa kapwa Pilipino at kapwa atleta, pati na rin sa Zamboanga,” she shared.

You can watch Hidilyn Diaz's interview in the Kapuso Showbiz News video above.

If the video above is not loading properly, you may watch it HERE instead.

You can also watch her Ginto film special below.

Want more lifestyle content like this? Head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Look back at Hidilyn Diaz's winning moments in the gallery below.