Published July 30, 2021, 9:23 AM
From left, swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, jumper Simon Toribio and boxer Jose Villanueva
DAGUPAN CITY On July 26, 2021, weightlifting fairy Hidilyn Diaz etched her name in the annals of Philippine history as the first Filipino Olympian to win a gold medal.
With her victory, the entire country rejoiced. Diaz was showered with countless incentives millions of pesos to boot, a lifetime’s worth of flights, petrol fuel, and a deluxe condominium in the heart of the nation.
But as we rejoice with her success, let us look back on the life of Teofilo Yldefonso, and how he brought prestige by becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win an Olympic medal and eventually to be later known as the father of ‘modern breaststroke’.
Lost Cause: The U S Was Destined to Lose the Philippines to the Japanese nationalinterest.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nationalinterest.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
On my mother’s side (Japanese), my grandfather is Nisei (second generation) while my grandmother is Sansei (third generation). On my father’s side (Filipino), my grandparents are first generation to the U.S.; so depending on the grandparent, that makes me,
really from?”
I was fortunate enough to know my great-grandmother before she passed. I vividly remember fond memories of her tiny dog that was always in need of a sweater, and the persimmons she grew outside. My great aunt is still alive, lives by herself, and plays the occasional golf game at 102. My grandmother is about to celebrate her 93rd birthday next week. All were born in the United States.
On my mother’s side (Japanese), my grandfather is Nisei (second generation) while my grandmother is Sansei (third generation). On my father’s side (Filipino), my grandparents are first generation to the U.S.; so depending on the grandparent, that makes me third, fourth, and fifth generation American.
I Really Am From Here > Nellis Air Force Base > News af.mil - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from af.mil Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.