Hidilyn Diaz's 'free lifetime gas' incentive resurfaces; manager says reward still undelivered
After Hidilyn Diaz's historic win at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, brands committed whopping cash prizes and incentives to her, including a lifetime supply of free fuel. However, her manager said they haven't heard from the fuel company at this time, nor have they received the promised lifetime fuel prize.
Amid rising fuel costs due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, social media users have been raising their complaints, especially since this could also affect the prices of common goods. Some have been sharing tips on how to save fuel, while brands have been offering promos to ease the price hike.
The government, in response, announced that some government offices will follow a temporary four-day workweek to cope with soaring fuel prices.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. also ordered government agencies to reduce fuel and energy consumption by 10% to 20%.
While all of this is going on, a social media user brought up Diaz's free lifetime gas offered by Phoenix Petroleum following her win in 2021.
"Habang maraming Pilipino ang napapakamot na lang sa ulo sa tuwing tumataas ang presyo ng gasolina…may isang tao sa Pilipinas na hindi kailangang mag-alala," social media user "Kuya Oman" posted in a Facebook group of riders, explaining Diaz's prize.
"Ibig sabihin, sa tuwing daraan siya sa isang Phoenix station para magpa-gas... hindi niya kailangang isipin kung magkano na naman ang presyo kada litro. At sa panahon na pabago-bago ang presyo ng langis sa buong mundo, isa lang ang sigurado. May isang Pilipino na naka 'easy mode' pagdating sa gasolina at nakuha niya iyon…sa pagbubuhat ng bigat para sa buong bansa," he concluded his Facebook post.
The post garnered several reactions, but the one that stood out the most was Diaz's manager, Noel Ferrer, who wrote in his Facebook shared post, "Parang drawing naman po ang lifetime."
PhilSTAR L!fe reached out to Ferrer and asked whether the brand has talked to Diaz, to which he replied, “Let’s just wait for their reaction if ever. [T]he netizens are the ones who brought it up... they just tagged us and the company. [W]e haven’t heard from them though."
Ferrer: Diaz only received the incentive for two years
In his statement on Thursday, March 12, Ferrer revealed that Phoenix Petroleum gave Diaz's supposed "lifetime" free fuel incentive only for the first two years after her win.
"Phoenix Petroleum made the promise public in 2021 when Hidilyn won the country’s first ever Gold Medal in the Olympics. The lifetime fuel incentive was their announcement, their commitment—not hearsay. In the artcard/press release, there were no conditions whatsoever; it was presented purely as an incentive," he wrote.
He added, "Netizens resurfaced it recently. Hidilyn told me that she received fuel support for the first two years after her win. Thanks, but to be accurate, it wasn’t for a lifetime. I’m not sure whose lifetime the people had in mind."
He went on to stress that athletes deserve to receive genuine appreciation, even if they're no longer in the spotlight.
"Sana matuto tayong bigyan ng importansya hindi lang ang mga salita at pangakong binitiwan, kundi ang pagpapahalaga sa mga atletang naghatid ng karangalan sa bansa. Sadly, this is also symptomatic of how we regard athletes who are no longer in the limelight—even when they continue to contribute to sports and to the country," Ferrer wrote.
"May these tough times bring out the best in us—and the honesty to match public pronouncements. #WorldPeace," he concluded.
Following the statement, Phoenix Petroleum claimed that they have already honored their commitments, adding that the fuel donation could not continue after Diaz partnered with another brand.
Diaz made history as the first Filipino athlete to win Olympic gold in the women’s 55 kg event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. After her historic victory, she pursued a Business Administration major in Management at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde and graduated in 2023 after 16 years.
In 2025, she also fulfilled her dream of completing a culinary course at the Center of Culinary Arts Manila.
As an athlete, she finished fourth at the women's 58kg weightlifting event during her 2025 Southeast Asian Games comeback. It was her first international competition after failing to qualify at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
She currently teaches at the College of Human Kinetics at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Editor's Note: This article was updated to include Noel Ferrer' and Phoenix Petroleum's March 12 statement. PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to Phoenix Petroleum for a statement but has yet to receive a reply.
