On Friday, March 21, the country’s most influential sports athletes will take center stage at Rolling Stone Philippines LIVE! at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The talk will focus on the definition of “winning,” the panellists’ love for their respective sport, and what defines the athlete’s mindset.
Among the guests is weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who hails from Zamboanga. She has competed in international weightlifting tournaments across Southeast Asia, including the 2008,2012, and 2018 Summer Olympics. She has defied expectations at every turn, but it was her historic gold medal win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the Womens’ 55kg weightlifting category that cemented her place in history at 30 years old, becoming the first Filipino to ever win an Olympic gold medal. This proves that perseverance and sheer willpower can overcome even the steepest odds.
Long before Diaz stood on the podium, she was a vocal advocate for better sports facilities, fair treatment, and genuine government support for athletes. During the pandemic, without any open gyms to train in, Diaz improvised by creating her own training equipment using bamboo sticks and gallons of water as weights. This is a call back to her origins in weightlifting when, as a child, she used plastic pipes and concrete weights. And despite the challenges, Diaz never wavered. With the support of her family, the weightlifting community, and an unshakable belief in capabilities, she pushed forward.
Moderated by triathlete Paolo Abrera, the athletes in the “Spirit of Winning” panel will include pole vaulter EJ Obiena, basketball player and shooting guard Gabe Norwood, volleyball outside hitter Alyssa Caldez, and ice hockey forward player Steven Fuglister. Rolling Stone Philippines LIVE! happens on Friday, March 21, at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Seats are limited, so head over to SariSari.Shopping to get the Rolling Stone Philippines bundle, which includes:
- All three cover versions of the maiden issue of Rolling Stone Philippines
- A t-shirt
- A tote bag
- Complimentary access to the event
- Access to the open bar
- And more exciting activities
