Third time is the charm for Airwoman 2nd Class Hidilyn Diaz’s silver medal

Hidilyn Diaz proved to all aspiring Olympic athletes that her silver medal finish in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil can not only mean the end of a medal drought, but also that the third time is always the charm.

After two unsuccessful runs in Beijing (2008) and London (2012), Diaz finally ended the drought of the Philippines in the Olympic Games early Monday in the women's weightlifting division. 

Diaz's feat also broke many firsts for the country's Olympic stint, including the country's first medal in 20 years after boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco won the silver in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Aside from the first medal in two decades, Diaz also became the first Filipina athlete to win a medal, the first to win in weightlifting, and the first medal outside of boxing and taekwondo since 1936.

But Diaz is not only a weightlifter.

The 25 year-old native of Zamboanga City is also a member of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Air Force spokesperson Colonel Araus Musico said that Diaz, an Airwoman Second Class for two years now, can expect a warm welcome from her Air Force family once she returns to the country. 

"There will be a welcome the Air Force way. We're coming up with some sort of preparations in welcoming her," Musico said.

He added the military leadership is "very proud" of Diaz's rare feat.

"With this (Olympic medal), the PAF lauds AW2C Diaz for bringing honor and pride to the country...The Philippine Air Force and the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines is very proud of your achievement," Musico said.

Musico mentioned that Diaz used to serve under the PAF Personnel Management office before she was detached from service by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Road to Rio Olympics

Diaz's road to the Olympics also turned out to be successful, winning three gold medals during the 2015 Southeast Asian Championships and Asian Championships, and the bronze medal in the World Championships.

Asked on if a spot promotion is awaiting Diaz in PAF for her feat, Musico said he still has to ask the military leadership.

"That I still do not, I don't know if there will be a spot promotion. I still have to ask if there will be spot promotion," Musico said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang extended its congratulations to Diaz, adopting the slogan of the Duterte administration that change has come. 

"We extend our sincerest congratulations and celebrate the end of the medal drought. Truly change has come," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

Diaz is set to receive a monetary incentive of P5 million from the government with her podium finish according to Republic Act 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act of.   — Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News