The Alsons Power Group – the first and most experienced independent power producer in Mindanao – demonstrated strong support for national sports via a $3,500 cash donation for weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz, Nestor Colonia and national coach Alfoncito Aldanete. Diaz and Colonia, who will be competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, each received $1,000 while Aldanete received $1,500 during simple ceremonies at the power company’s headquarters in Makati City.

Alsons Power supports Phl weightlifting bets to 2016 Rio Olympics
Rio-bound weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia (third and fourth from left) with Coach Alfoncito Aldanete (second from left) are flanked by Alsons Power executive vice president and Chief Executive Officer Tirso G. Santillan and San Ramon Power, Inc.  (SRPI) plant manager Engr. Archie Donato during the turnover of the $3,500 cash donation from the Alsons Power group and its Zamboanga-based subsidiaries SRPI and the Western Mindanao Power Corporation. 

Diaz and Colonia, who both hail from Zamboanga City, expressed their gratitude for the financial support adding that the recognition from a Mindanao-based company such as Alsons – whose subsidiary the Western Mindanao Power Corp. (WMPC) operates a 100-MW diesel power plant in Sangali, Zamboanga City while the 105-MW San Ramon Power, Inc. (SRPI) baseload coal plant targeted for construction this year is located in Talisayan, also in Zamboanga City – was a morale-boosting gesture that adds to their determination to bring home the gold.

Hidilyn Diaz at the Alsons Power Group Makati office before leaving for her event at the 2016 Rio Olympi

Diaz and Colonia, who are also members of the Philippine Air Force, are ranked 3rd and 4th in the world, respectively. Diaz will be competing in the 53-kg division while it will be the 56-kg division for Colonia. This will be the third time for Diaz to go for an Olympic gold, having first competed during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and then in 2012 in London where she was flag bearer during the opening ceremonies. Both Diaz and Colonia have been harvesting medals in regional and international competitions, including a bronze for Colonia in the recent world championship in Houston, Texas and two golds and one silver for Diaz in the Asian Youth/Junior weightlifting Championship in Jeonju, South Korea.