Zamboangeño Olympic medalists Hidilyn Diaz and Eumir Marcial returned home last September 1, 2021, after their victorious performance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as they unveiled their markers and paraded for their hero’s welcome motorcade.
Diaz and Marcial toured with their floral float on its way to R.T. Lim Boulevard, supervised by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) upon setting foot in the Edwin Andrews Air Base.
Over 100 people accumulated to witness the parade despite social distancing warnings and reminders from the City Government and IATF.
Both Zamboangeño medalists also etched their handprints on their respective brass plate markers, engraved on the boardwalk of the said boulevard.
The athletes were also honored by city Mayor Maria Isabella Climaco-Salazar and given monetary rewards for their service; P2.5 million for Diaz’s gold win, P1 million for Marcial’s bronze, and P200,000 for the boxer’s participation at the Asian Elite Championships in Dubai last May.
Diaz, raised and resided in Mampang, recalled her experiences as a daughter of a tricycle driver that they “started from nothing and this [gold medal] is here now,” showing her gold medal.
She looked back on her hardships in Malaysia being stranded mid-pandemic in preparation for Tokyo Olympics which made her emotional and strengthened her faith during trying times.
The Lunzuran-hailed Marcial also shared his experiences as a growing, ambitious boxer during his younger years and remembered the days he used to claim his incentives as a teenage boxer at the same city hall he now stood upon as a champion.
“I would not have reached this far if it is not because of sports.” said Marcial, encouraging the youth to engage in sports as a reflection of his journey.,
The two medalists also serve the Armed Forces of the Philippines, both recently promoted a month before their homecoming. Diaz was ranked from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant, while Marcial was upped from Sergeant to Airman First Class.
Diaz and Marcial are notable for bringing two of the four medals from the prestigious Tokyo Olympics, together with silver medalists and boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio.
