Children's book ‘Ginto’t Pilak’ features Hidilyn Diaz's journey to greatness
Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz just made us all proud by taking home the Philippines' first gold medal in her historic win during at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
For those who want to introduce kids to the inspirational role model, the children’s illustrated book Ginto’t Pilak, which was written after Diaz bagged the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medal, recounts her life story and journey to greatness.
Diaz launched the book less than a year ago in the hopes of spreading awareness of the sport and providing inspiration to kids amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is one of my WHY’s in life, before I won the silver medal for the Philippines at the 2016 Rio Olympics, I didn’t give up on my preparation for Olympics because of the younger generation,” Diaz previously wrote on her Facebook page last September 2020.
Published by Anvil, Ginto’t Pilak was co-written by Diaz herself along with Eugene Evasco and illustrated by Tristan Yuvienco.
“I wanted to build a Weightlifitng gym for them, I built it, but what I want is to give them the inspiration to continue with their dream in weightlifting. I came from nothing to eventually becoming a silver medalist. We never know, one of these kids might be the next Gold Medalist,” she wrote.
The book aims to shatter gender stereotypes that women are not strong enough and recounts Diaz's humble origins before she became one of the world’s most renowned weightlifters.
"Hindi nakakapagbuhat ng mabigat ang babae. Totoo ba ito? Bago naging Olympic champion sa weightlifting si Hidilyn Diaz, isa siyang batang babae na nagbuhat ng mga timba ng tubig, banyera ng isda, at nangarap na magtagumpay sa palarong karaniwa’y para sa mga lalaki. Sa patuloy na pagsisikap at pagtitiyaga, pinatunayan ni Hidilyn na hindi lamang maaaring magbuhat ang mga babae, maaari rin silang manalo ng mga medalyang ginto at pilak,” an excerpt of the book reads.
At the time of the book's publication in 2020, bagging the silver medal in the Olympics was Diaz’s highest feat in her career, but with her recent Gold win, it looks like this book may need an updated foreword.
"This book is the story of my life to inspire the younger generation to dream high and tell them to reach their dream but they have to work hard because there is no instant in life. I hope you will get inspired by this book especially right now we are in Pandemic, we need inspiration, hope, and care," wrote Diaz.
Fans can purchase the book Ginto’t Pilak from Anvil Publishing, and their online shops on Shopee and Lazada. The 40-page illustrated children's book costs just P99.
(Images via Anvil Publishing)