Philippine Airlines grants weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz lifetime flight miles as the flag carrier’s way of rewarding her for bagging the country’s first Olympic Gold.

“We shall honor this exemplary achievement by giving Miss Diaz 80,000 free miles per year for life. This makes her not only the first Filipina Olympic gold medalist, but also Philippine Airlines’ first Forever Flyer,” said PAL President and COO Gilbert Santa Maria.

The Philippines’ first-ever Filipino Olympic gold medalist will be able to fly across PAL’s domestic, regional and international route network using her flight miles.

“It has long been the flag carrier’s mission to support outstanding Filipino athletes to enable them to showcase their skills to the world. Hidilyn’s life journey exemplifies hard work, determination and powerful faith, all of which led her to her Olympic victory and the new world record she set,” Mr. Santa Maria adds.

PAL has in recent years sponsored or assisted the travel of about 300 young underprivileged Filipino athletes, performers and other artists representing the Philippines in global competitions. This is being done through the PAL Foundation’s #RPRSNTPinoy program which aims to inspire a new generation of Filipinos to aspire for excellence, pursue their dreams and ultimately contribute to their respective communities.

Ms. Diaz is now the pioneer member of a new “Forever Flyer” program that PAL is rolling out in the coming months to enable more travelers to “Fly for Life”.