MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Philippin team to the Beijing Olympics lead the 27 athletes and entities to be given citations during the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night on Feb. 20.
The 15-man RP squad failed to bring home medal of any color during the Olympiad, but will still be honored by the country’s oldest media organization in the two-hour rite to be held at the Alegria Lounge of the Manila Pavilion Hotel.
Comprising the Olympic team are boxer Harry Tañamor, taekwondo jins Mary Antoinette Rivero and Tshomlee Go, divers Sheila Mae Perez and Ryan Rexel Fabriga, shooter Aric Ang, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, tracksters Henry Dagmil and Maristella Torres, archer Mark Javier and swimmers Miguel Molina, Ryan Arabejo, Daniel Coakley, James Walsh and Christel Simms.
The wushu medalists in the Beijing special event, Harbour Centre owner and basketball godfather Mikee Romero, cager Jayson Castro, grandmasters Jayson Gonzales and John Paul Gomez, NCAA three-peat titlist San Beda, UAAP senior and junior basketball team champions Ateneo, Blue Eagle Rabel Al Hussaini and world champion Gerry Peñalosa are also among those receiving citations during the Awards Night sponsored by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
Meanwhile, popular tri-media personality Ed Piczon and broadcaster Patricia Bermudez-Hizon will be hosting this year’s PSA rite also supported by the Villar Foundation, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Shakey’s, Accel, PBA, PBL, NCRAA, PCSO, SBP, Purefoods, Ginebra, Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Rain or Shine, Ever Bilena, Harbour Centre, Liga Pilipinas, Secretary Lito Atienza, Pharex, GAB and Mighty Sports Association.
Manny Pacquiao leads the list of 59 sports honorees for 2008. The boxing hero from General Santos City is the recipient of the Athlete of the Year Award and will be formally elevated to the PSA Hall of Fame.
Eleven others, on the other hand, are going to be bestowed with a major award headed by Women’s World Cup of Golf champion Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin.
The two Filipina golfers share the award along with Kelly Williams (pro basketball), Nonito Donaire (pro boxing), Wesley So (chess), Willy Wang (wushu), Dennis Orcollo (billiards), Angelo Que and Dottie Ardina (golf), Jonathan Hernandez (horseracing), Ibarra and Go Army (horseracing).
Senator Manny Villar will be honored with the PSA Presidents Award, while running away with the Outstanding National Sports Association (NSA) title is the Wushu Federation of the Philippines.
To be bestowed with the Tony Siddayao awards for young athletes who excelled in their respective fields are cager Norberto Torres and golfer AR Ramos.
Partial List of Awardees:
Athlete Of The Year/Hall Of Fame
Manny Pacquiao
Major Awardees
Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin, Dottie Ardina, Dennis Orcollo, Angelo Que, Wesley So, Willy Wang, Kelly Williams, Nonito Donaire, Go Army, Ibarra and Jonathan Hernandez
NSA of the Year
Wushu
President’s Award
Sen. Manny Villar
Tony Siddayao Awards
Norberto Torres and AR Ramos
Citations
RP Olympic team, Wushu medalists in the Beijing special event, Chihiro Ikeda, Gold Medalists in the Thailand Para Games, Philippine Sports Institute, Gerry Penalosa, Mikee Romero, Erlina Pecante, Jayson Castro, RP Softball Teams, Jerrick Ternida, Rabeh Al Hussaini, Ateneo Basketball Teams (champion Jr and Sr.), San Beda College Basketball Team, University of Sto. Tomas (UAAP Overall Champ), Ma. Inez Feria Jorge and Wilfredo Anglo, Kenneth San Andres, John Paul Gomez , Stefano Marcelo, Maico Buncio, Nokia-Tao Corp., Cheradee Camacho, Mary Catherine Rivilla, PAGCOR’s Pinoy Sports Idol, Jayson Gonzales, Ray Roquero and Children’s Tennis Workshop (CWT).