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Hidilyn Diaz warns of social media perils as athletes speak out

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/sports/12/02/20191202-sea-games-hidilyn-diaz-jc-59.jpg"/><figcaption>Hidilyn Diaz during the women&#x27;s 55-kg division of weightlifting in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. File photo. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz believes that athletes have every right to express their opinions, particularly when it comes to fighting for the rights of their fellow sportsmen and women. However, she also warns of the pitfalls of being too outspoken, particularly on social media.&quot;Sa totoo lang, okay &#x27;yun na sinasabi &#x27;yung kung ano ang kailangan naming mga atleta,&quot; Diaz said during an appearance on the &quot;So She Did!&quot; podcast.Diaz was asked if she believes it was okay for athletes to speak up on certain political issues, as many have done in the past couple of weeks in light of recent events, particularly the passing of the controversial anti-terror bill in the House of Representatives.While Diaz herself has not spoken up on recent political developments, she has been vocal when it comes to fighting for athletes&#x27; rights. In June 2018, she used her social media platforms to ask for help in her journey to the Tokyo Olympics, admitting that she needed more financial support.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/04/19/hirap-na-hirap-na-ako-hidilyn-diaz-asks-for-financial-help-for-olympic-bid">FULL STORY: &#x27;Hirap na hirap na ako&#x27;: Hidilyn Diaz asks for financial help for Olympic bid</a></li></ul>While there were many who supported her, Diaz also drew criticism, especially after the Philippine Sports Commission bared that she receives plenty of support from the government, and has one of the highest allowances among national athletes.Diaz is thus somewhat reluctant to use social media as her primary platform in asking for change.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/golf/news/2020/06/17/with-majors-later-woods-hurry-return-68844">READ: With majors later, Woods should be in no hurry to return</a></li></ul>&quot;Naging biktima din ako,&quot; she recalled. &quot;Naging biktima ako ng bashing at pagto-troll, at hindi naging maganda ito sa akin. Ayaw kong mangyari &#x27;yun sa ibang atleta.&quot;&quot;So as much as possible, pwede natin i-share &#x27;yung opinyon natin, pero huwag na lang sa social media,&quot; she added. &quot;Kailangan natin protektahan ang sarili natin. Kami as national athletes, yes may boses tayo, pero kailangan natin i-filter.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/13/19/weightlifting-hidilyn-diaz-isinasantabi-na-ang-batikos-sa-isyu-ng-training-funds">READ: Hidilyn Diaz, isinasantabi na ang batikos sa isyu ng training funds</a></li></ul>For Diaz, it&#x27;s not just about protecting themselves, but also their families. The bashing that she endured affected her family as well, and she wants her fellow athletes to avoid having the same experience.But this doesn&#x27;t mean that she wants athletes to avoid speaking out entirely. For Diaz, if her fellow sportsmen and women have studied the issues well and truly believe what they are fighting for, then they should use their voices and their platforms.&quot;Kung kaya nilang protektahan &#x27;yung family nila at kung alam nila kung ano &#x27;yung ipinaglalaban nila, alam nila &#x27;yung lahat, nabasa nila at kung alam nila kung paano ipaglaban ito, push,&quot; she encouraged. &quot;I-push nila, gawin nila.&quot;&quot;Pero &#x27;yun nga,&quot; she added, &quot;kailangan may puso talaga kung gusto mo ipaglaban, lalong lalo na sa political issue.&quot;&quot;Sa ibang atleta, alam naman natin na ako &#x27;yung first sample doon. So kung hindi niyo kaya &#x27;yung consequences, huwag muna.&quot;Athletes worldwide have refused to &quot;shut up and dribble&quot; following events that have sparked civil unrest. In the United States, there have been protests and rallies nationwide after the death of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of a white Minneapolis police man. Filipino-American players in the PBA have joined the movement, decrying racial inequality and police brutality.Filipino athletes have also spoken up about events closer to home, with many calling for the junking of the controversial anti-terror bill and demanding accountability from the government regarding its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>)

Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz believes that athletes have every right to express their opinions, particularly when it comes to fighting for the rights of their fellow sportsmen and women.

Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz believes that athletes have every right to express their opinions, particularly when it comes to fighting for the rights of their fellow sportsmen and women.

Hidilyn Diaz warns of social media perils as athletes speak out

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Hidilyn Diaz warns of social media perils as athletes speak out

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 17, 2020 12:09 PM PHT

Read More:

weightlifting

Hidilyn Diaz

athlete activism

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