Margielyn Didal returns to PHL, turns emotional after recalling personal woes

Filipino skateboarder Margielyn Didal has arrived home after bagging one of the country's four gold medals at the recently concluded 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

An Unang Balita report Tusday morning said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Ramon Fernandez personally welcomed Didal at the airport to congratulate her for "bringing home the bacon" and urged her to continue her excellence.

Didal became emotional when she recalled how skaters were fined and jailed for practicing in public spaces, and the struggles she and her family had due to personal and financial woes.

"Dati yung, malapit pong maging broken family kami. Away po yung parents ko, dahil nga sa pera. Pero sobrang strong ng family namin, especially si mama," she said.

She hopes to use the money she earned from her victory to help her family get on its feet, and help skateboarding flourish as a sport in the Philippines.

"Sa lahat po ng nawawalan ng pag-asa, 'wag po kayong tumigil na mag-dream po na aangat kayo sa buhay kasi lahat po tayo pantay-pantay. Inaantay lang yung tamang panahon at chance," Didal said.

The 19-year-old Cebu native thanked her girlfriend, Jozel Manzanares, for encouraging her to return to skating after a serious injury in 2015. 

Didal bagged the gold for the women's street category for skateboarding, while Hidilyn Diaz took one for the women's 53 kg category for weightlifting, and Yuka Saso for the women's individual category in golf and with Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go for the women's team category for golf.

The Philippines finished 19th in the Asiad, with 21 medals: four gold, two silver, and 15 bronze. — Rie Takumi/MDM, GMA News