Labor Attaché in Tokyo Marie Rose Escalada (left) and Hidilyn Diaz (Photos from Zoom, Philippine Airlines) During that short conversation, the 30-year-old Diaz imparted to Escalada some inspirational words that the latter described as “very touching”. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) official said she later told overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) about it. “I spoke with her [Diaz] but only virtually kasi very strict po yung Olympic Committee sa Japan (because the Olympic Committee was very strict),” Escalada told Manila-based reporters during a press briefing on Zoom. “Actually touching masyado yung sinabi niya (Her words were very touching), and I shared it to the OFWs. Kailangan lang po daw, ang dream, kailangang hawakan. Yun lang po yung sinabi niya (She said that dreams must be held on to. That’s all that she said),” recounted Escalada, who was smiling from ear-to-ear.