Hidilyn Diaz inspires the nation anew with her very own Kwentong Jollibee “Ginto”

When weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first gold medal after a near century-long wait at the Olympics, Filipinos from all over the globe rejoiced and celebrated her historic triumph. Hidilyn’s winning lift, which also set a new Olympic record, was a result of years of hard work, resilience, and dedication that she put into reaching her dream.

And this inspiring journey of Hidilyn—with all the challenges she had to overcome—is at the center of the latest Kwentong Jollibee short film entitled “Ginto”. Jollibee, in collaboration with its partner agency McCann Worldgroup Philippines, hopes to share Hidilyn’s story to bring joy and inspiration to every Filipino.

 

Looking back on her humble beginnings

Hidilyn vividly remembers when she first started training. “Ang gamit kong weights noon ay mga gallon ng tubig. Mayroon akong mahabang bakal, ‘yun ang bar ko, tapos sa magkabila ay mga bote na may lamang tubig o kaya buhangin,” said Hidilyn. There were a lot of challenges at the start of her career, she shared, and many instances when she wanted to give up. But these did not discourage her.

 

Her hard work paid off when she bagged the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.

 

“Noong nanalo ako sa Rio, doon mas naging malinaw sa akin na maraming nakababatang atleta na nakatingin sa akin para sa inspirasyon. Kaya sabi ko, hindi ako pwedeng sumuko. Ilalaban ko hanggang makuha natin ang pinakamimithing ginto,” said Hidilyn.

 

Reliving her winning moment

To launch the short film “Ginto”, Jollibee held a virtual press conference last October 14. Seeing the film in full for the first time, the Olympic champion was touched to have witnessed her story from the lens of a viewer. “Naiyak po talaga ako, lalo na yung doon sa part na chini-cheer ako ng mga frontliners, ng mga bata. Masaya po ako na na-inspire ko sila gaya ng pag-inspire nila sa akin.” 

 

Hidilyn Diaz gets emotional while watching her Kwentong Jollibee “Ginto” and the surprise greetings from her loved ones

 

 

The image of Hidilyn clenching her fists in victory will forever be remembered by the whole nation. With “Ginto”, she got to relive this moment, along with the challenges she had to overcome leading to the Tokyo Olympics.

 

When asked how it was like re-enacting her own journey, Hidilyn said, “Bumalik lahat ng emotions — ‘yung saya, ‘yung hirap, at ‘yung pagpapalakas ng mga tao na tumulong sa akin para maabot ko yung pangarap ko.” To her, starring in her own Kwentong Jollibee short film was like another chance to relive her winning moment. “Masaya dahil ibang experience din for me ‘yung mag-act and rewarding dahil nakita ko ‘yung personal journey ko through another lens,” she added.

 

Long-time Kwentong Jollibee and award-winning director Pepe Diokno said it was a great honor to work on this project. “I’ve done a lot of Kwentong Jollibee films, and each story is different. But what sets ‘Ginto’ apart is that it’s a story of a sports icon that’s being revealed to the world. Hidilyn’s journey to success is the inspiration we need in these difficult times, and I treasure that I was able to do it with her and of course, Jollibee,” shared Direk Pepe.

 

Beyond her golden win

Now, with multiple awards and recognition, what more does a Hidilyn Diaz dream of? “For me, gusto ko po makatapos ng aking studies,” she said. At present, Hidilyn is taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. “Gusto ko po makuha ang aking diploma at makapag-develop pa ng training schools para sa mga aspiring na atleta gaya ko noong nag-uumpisa ako. Nandito pa rin ako kasi weightlifting ang passion ko at gusto kong i-share ito sa mga kabataan,” Hidilyn added. She also mentioned plans of setting up an outreach activity similar to a community pantry in the coming months.

 

Hidilyn’s Kwentong Jollibee special “Ginto” serves as a reminder that Filipinos can rise above challenges through “lakas at puso,” armed with the love and support of those around them. ​​

 

Watch the Kwentong Jollibee Ginto on the official Jollibee Facebook page and on Jollibee Studios YouTube channel, and join the conversation online by using the hashtag #KwentongJollibeeGinto.

Summit SuperSHEroes Come in Pink! 100+ Leaders of Breast Cancer Patient Groups Band Together

Last September 11, 2021, Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz surprised a group of Breast Cancer patient advocate leaders on the last day of the 2-day Patient Power Summit led and organized by the ICanServe Foundation Inc.

A SuperSHEro herself, Diaz related her humble beginnings, how she hurdled the battles that got in the way of her dreams with the grace and determination of a champion’s heart. Diaz emphasized, “Hindi ako sumuko. (I didn’t give up).” She said, the formula was simple “level up your game to reach your goal.” As a sports icon and an authentic leader in her field, she said the goal should always be to become a survivor and a victor.

In a gathering of cancer advocate leaders that represented 34 breast cancer patient groups from all over the country, the mission was beyond helping navigate a patient through wellness. “We continue to believe that early detection saves lives and we need to continue to make strides. But we also see the need to reach out and help each other, to share cancer resources, to work together to make an even bigger difference, to possibly come up with sustainable solutions for the breast cancer community,” Crisann Celdran, co-founder and Chairman of the ICanServe Foundation. She opened the summit with a call to the forerunners of the community to work closely together, elevate the advocacy and work towards speaking as one.

Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, founding Chairman of the ICANSERVE Foundation, pointed out this is a unique time in the health space where one witnesses the most number of founders of cancer patient groups carving a new path. “It’s a historical moment in the cancer space, as we witness the evolution of a new frontier we call the patient movement. We’re all founders, pioneers, and first or second generation volunteers. We have to be navigators for each other, as we shape a future, free of cancer,” Alikpala said.

Cancer patient leaders in attendance belonged to organizations that were independently created, hospital based, or founded with the help of a cancer doctor or a socio civic group. Yet they all shared the same concerns from psycho social, the drastic interruption in family life, to financial, to lack of access to quality care and affordable or free cancer diagnostics, treatments, palliative and survivorship care. ICANSERVE President Nikoy de Guzman also observed they shared the same burning desire to serve, “walang survivor na hindi lumaban.”

The patient leaders vowed they will not rest nor be complacent till breast cancer is diagnosed in its early stage cancer when it’s most curable, till every patient with cancer, no matter the stage, age, income bracket, religion, ethnicity, are given quality care and a chance to be with family for longer. Till seeing the end to breast cancer.

The Patient Power Summit was made possible and successful through the help of partner brands and organizations such as Bio-ONCO, AIA Summit, In the Pink, Pfizer Philippines Foundation, Nestle, Mondelez Philippines and Skincare for Hope.

To find out more information about how you can support breast cancer advocacy, like and follow the official ICanServe Foundation Facebook Page, www.icanservefoundation.org, and ICANSERVE on Instagram and Twitter.

Ginto: Jollibee and McCann Worldgroup Philippines release special Kwentong Jollibee on Hidilyn Diaz’s inspiring journey

While the whole nation rejoiced and celebrated the historic feat of Hidilyn Diaz during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, not everyone knew of the hardships that she had to overcome to reach her dream of winning the country’s first Olympic Gold medal. Now, her story of “lakas at puso” which made all that possible is immortalized in Jollibee’s latest Kwentong Jollibee, “Ginto”.

The short film chronicles the life-long journey of Hidilyn in typical Kwentong Jollibee fashion – heartwarming, tugs at the heartstrings and filled with life lessons – while aimed at continuing to inspire Filipinos to reach their own dreams.

“We wanted to pay tribute not just to Hidilyn’s victory, but to her strength, heart and resilience, which truly brought joy and uplifted the nation. And we thought it fitting to produce her own Kwentong Jollibee, not just to thank her for her feat but to somehow share her story so that we Filipinos can continue to be inspired by what she has achieved”, said Arline Adeva, Jollibee Philippines Assistant Vice President and Head of Brand PR, Engagement, and Digital Marketing.

“Ginto” is directed by internationally acclaimed and resident Kwentong Jollibee director Pepe Diokno. The latest Kwentong Jollibee film is centered on how Hidilyn has become a champion and a Filipino icon who proved that hard work and grit pays off. “People can expect an inspiring story about dealing with defeat, and winning with perseverance,” he said. Direk Pepe also added that giving hope and providing inspiration was at the core of this latest Kwentong Jollibee film. “I think with the current situation, many Filipinos feel defeated and divided, but Hidilyn’s win gave us strength and brought us together,” he said.

For her part, Hidilyn cherished being part of her own, special Kwentong Jollibee. “Lahat naman tayo kilala ang Kwentong Jollibee. Usually, ito yung tungkol sa love and relationships. Masaya lang ako kasi naipakita dito yung love for sports, love for your dream, and love for your country. Sana naipakita namin yung inspirasyon na maidudulot nung Kwentong Jollibee Ginto,” Hidilyn said.

While Hidilyn’s rise to become a modern-day icon and the country’s pride and joy was well-documented, Jollibee and McCann worked together to creatively tell her story in a way that would make a lasting impact. “Everyone knows her story by now so the challenge was how to shine a new light on her in a way that would inspire and motivate Filipinos who may also be experiencing struggles and challenges,” explained NJ Mijares, Creative Director of McCann Worldgroup Philippines. “With every Kwentong Jollibee we create, we always ask ourselves ‘is this relatable? Will other people feel the same way?’ More so with this one. Because we're telling a story of a very specific person with a very specific achievement, we tried to tell it in a way that mirrors the dreams, the struggles, and the journey of millions of Filipinos.”

Watch the Kwentong Jollibee Ginto on the official Jollibee Facebook page and on Jollibee Studios YouTube channel, and join the conversation online by using the hashtag #KwentongJollibeeGinto.