MANILA, Philippines - The year 2014 was a year like no other for Fil-American BMX rider Daniel Caluag.
The other night, Caluag stood in front of his fellow athletes as they were honored and toasted during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night at 1Esplanade.
Caluag was named the 2014 PSA Athlete of the Year.
The 27-year-old rider flew all the way from Kentucky to receive the prestigious award, the icing on the cake to what he described as an incredible season.
“It was a great year being a new dad, graduating at nursing school, along with the Asian Games gold medal, and to top it off with the Athlete of the Year,” he said.
He wore a dark suit and a spiked hairdo as he graced the glittery affair presented by Meralco, Smart, the MVP Foundation and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Caluag’s wife gave birth to their first child just days before he flew to Incheon, South Korea for the Asian Games last September.
Inspired, he raced like a true champion and beat Asia’s finest for the gold medal in the BMX competition.
Caluag has vowed to work even harder and continue to represent the Philippines in the international arena.
At the podium, Caluag encouraged all his fellow athletes to treasure every opportunity to compete.
“Cherish every season, every game, every practice, because everything will soon be over before you realize it,” he said in his speech.
As he received the award, Caluag was joined on stage by PSC chairman Richie Garcia, Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, PhilCycling head and Tagaytay Rep. Abraham Tolentino and PSC president Jun Lomibao.
Sharing the limelight during the annual affair presented by the country’s oldest media organization were members of the Philippine men’s basketball team that won the 1973 FIBA-Asia crown.
Former senator Robert Jaworski led the recipients of the PSA Lifetime Achievement Award along with Bogs Adornado, Yoyong Martirez, Manny Paner, Leo Arnaiz (representing brother Francis Arnaiz), Richie Melencio (representing his late father Tembong Melencio) and Joey Campos, representing strength and conditioning coach Juan Cutillas.
“This group was given an opportunity to show together that we have the best athletes (in Asia),” said Jaworski as he spoke in behalf of the team coached by the late Valentin “Tito” Eduque and managed by Dante Silverio.
National University, which won the UAAP men’s basketball title to end a 60-year title drought, received the PSA President’s Award.
The Bulldogs’ chief benefactor, Hans Sy of the SM Group, was named Executive of the Year during the event also supported by the PBA, Maynilad, Accel, Rain or Shine, ICTSI, PCSO, PAGCOR, El Jose Catering, National University, Globalport, Air21, and 1Esplanade.
Veteran sportscaster Joaquin Henson and Patricia Hizon hosted the affair.
Other awardees were Purefoods coach Tim Cone (Excellence in Basketball), Alyssa Valdez (Ms. Volleyball), Jean Pierre Sabido (Mr. Taekwondo), Tony Lascuña and Princess Superal (Golfers of the Year), Mitsubishi (Hall of Fame), and the MVP Sports Foundation (Sports Patron of the Year).
Valdez and Winter Olympic Games bet Michael Christian Martinez were also chosen as the Prince and Princess of the Night.