The free fuel perk given to Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz after her historic achievement at the Tokyo Games 2020 was brought up by Filipinos following the increase in petroleum prices.
The weightlifting star’s name sparked buzz online, as some recalled one of the incentives she received for bringing home an Olympic gold medal for the country after a 97-year drought.
When Hidilyn won at the Tokyo Olympics, she received multiple incentives from several brands that gifted her perks and privileges.
Among them was Phoenix Petroleum, which pledged to provide her with a lifetime supply of free fuel.
She also received a P5 million reward from the same firm.
The offer was made to her through the Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation Inc., which supports athletes with the best chances of winning at the Olympics, the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
The incentive was remembered by Filipino online users amid reports of rising petroleum prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.
“Si Ms. Hidilyn Diaz na yata ang pinaka-maswerteng tao ngayon, lifetime free fuel ba naman,” a Facebook page wrote on Tuesday, March 10.
“Sana oil,” a different Facebook user wrote after sharing the post on the platform. The phrase is a wordplay on the popular expression “sana all.”
“Mareng Hidilyn Diaz, naalala mo nung mga bata pa tayo? Ako ‘yung nagbigay sa’yo ng chichirya sa klase natin noon. Kumusta ka na, classmate?” another Facebook user joked.
An old report about Hidilyn’s free perks also surfaced in a Reddit community, where one user wrote on Tuesday, “Mapapa-sana all ka na lang talaga.” The post has since garnered 121 upvotes and 13 comments.
mapapa-sana all ka na lang talaga 😌
by
u/throwaway-kittyx in
Philippines
“Hidilyn, my friend!” another Redditor commented in jest with a laughing emoji.
Hidilyn herself also revisited the incentive by resharing a post about it.
“PUWEDE KAYANG I-CLAIM ITO — sa panahon ngayon?” she wrote in an Instagram Story on Monday, March 9.
Screengrab from an Instagram Story of Hidilyn Diaz posted on March 9, 2026 (hidilyndiaz via Instagram)
Price increase
Major petroleum firms have raised the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene per liter following the disruptions in oil production and shipping caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
Locally, diesel prices have increased by P24 per liter, gasoline by up to P13 per liter and kerosene by up to P38 per liter.
To help cushion the impact on motorists, the price adjustments will be implemented in daily increments starting today, March 10, rather than as a single hike, as is normally done.
The recent spike in petroleum prices comes as the United States and Israel carry out military operations against Iran, disrupting key energy routes and facilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway south of Iran through which nearly 20 million barrels of oil pass daily, has been closed amid the conflict.
Damage to oil and gas infrastructure across the Middle East has further interrupted global supply flows.
The hostilities stem from the U.S. pushing for regime change in Iran’s theocratic government, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly described the Iranian regime as an “existential threat” to Israel.
READ: Explainer: Why is the US attacking Iran?
