EVERYONE KNOWS Hidilyn Diaz' weightlifting journey as she carried an entire nation at her back during the Tokyo Olympics back in 2021, where she won the first gold medal for the Philippines in an Olympic spectacle, and she even used her influence to build upon the weightlifting program in the country.
But besides serving her country through competitions, Diaz is also a member of the Philippine Air Force, serving as a Second Lieutenant.
And while many would recognize her through her military and Olympic accolades, Diaz has recently found a new craft in her life: cooking.
On her official Instagram page, Diaz is seen attending cooking classes from CCA Manila, the number 1 culinary school in the country.
"It's been my dream to learn how to cook properly and take culinary courses since 2013, when I was preparing to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. After winning a silver medal in Rio, I didn't pursue the course because I couldn't find culinary programs in college that would allow me to also prepare for Tokyo," she said on her IG post.
"In 2025, I told myself I would finally do the things I've always wanted to do. Luckily, I saw a post from CCA on Instagram just three days before their fundamental culinary class was about to start. I decided to give it a try, and I'm really enjoying it."
It's a process
Her new interest has made her appreciate the hardwork that chefs and culinary experts endure, as she realized that cooking isn't as easy as 1,2,3.
And like her career in powerlifting, it takes a lot of practice and effort to produce the results.
"Also [I] appreciate the cooking in general kung gaano siya kahirap and I appreciate also the chefs or the people behind kapag siner-serve nila ang food."
Shen then hinted that she is planning to establish a business in the future.
"Everyday masaya, everyday iba't iba ang natututan ko. Everyday parang iniisip ko it's an exciting day, it's a new learning...Thankful ako na ang dami kong natutunan na maibabahagi ko sa magiging business sa Jalajala, tsaka hoping na ma-serve ko nang maayos yung asawa ko at mga kaibigan ko," reflected the Olympic gold medalist.
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