CEBU CITY, Philippines — As fuel prices climb anew amid tensions between the United States and Iran, Filipino netizens found humor online by recalling Olympic champion Hidilyn Diaz’s lifetime free fuel incentive.
The weightlifting icon, who made history during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by winning the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medal, received several rewards after her victory — including a lifetime supply of fuel from Phoenix Petroleum Philippines.
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The incentive, granted in 2021 through the Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation, resurfaced in online discussions as global oil prices increased due to geopolitical tensions.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, users joked about Diaz being “lucky” amid the spike in fuel costs.
One netizen wrote, “Naalala ko lang bigla. May free fuel for life nga pala si Hidilyn Diaz sa Phoenix no?”
(I suddenly recalled. Hidilyn Diaz has a free fuel for life in Phoenix?)
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Another joked that the Olympic champion could now start a ride-hailing or taxi business, while others playfully asked if the lifetime supply had a daily limit.
Some comments also imagined scenarios where Diaz could help friends by filling their cars, with one remark saying: “Pa-drive ng car ko, Hidilyn. Full tank mo lang.”
(You drive my car. Just fill it, full tank.)
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The lighthearted remarks spread across social media, drawing reactions from users who joined the humorous conversation while acknowledging Diaz’s historic achievement.
Aside from the fuel incentive, Diaz also received a ₱5 million cash reward from the sports foundation, along with perks such as free flights from Philippine Airlines and AirAsia following her Olympic triumph.
The renewed attention to the incentive highlights how Diaz’s victory continues to resonate with Filipinos years after her historic performance, this time sparking laughter online amid the reality of rising fuel costs.
