Philippine Sports Commission chief Richie Garcia INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The country’s top government sports official will be the guest speaker of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) when it holds its Annual Awards Night co-presented by Milo and San Miguel Corp. on Feb. 16 at 1Esplanade in Pasay City.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chair Richie Garcia will address the local sports community as the top achievers of 2014 are honored by the country’s oldest media organization.
This marks the first time Garcia will be the keynote speaker in the yearly affair since being named as PSC head in 2010.
A former national golfer and PSC commissioner, Garcia also served as the chef de mission of the Philippine delegation that competed in the Asian Games in South Korea.
The Asiad’s lone gold medal winner, BMX rider Daniel Caluag, is going to be feted with the prestigious Athlete of the Year honor during the event which has Meralco, Smart, and the MVP Sports Foundation as principal sponsors and the PSC as major sponsor.
Also to be bestowed awards during the event supported by Globalport, El Jose Catering, PCSO, Rain or Shine, PBA, Maynilad, Accel, ICTSI, Pagcor, National University, and Air21 are the NU Bulldogs (President’s Award), Hans Sy (Executive of the Year), MVP Sports Foundation Inc. (Sports Patron of the Year), the 1973 Philippine men’s basketball team (Lifetime Achievement Award), Tim Cone (Excellence in Basketball), Mitsubishi (Hall of Fame), Alyssa Valdez (Ms. Volleyball), Jean Pierre Sabido (Mr. Taekwondo), and Princess Superal and Tony Lascuña (Golfers of the Year).
Major awards, meanwhile, will be handed out to Donnie Nietes, San Mig Coffee team, Gabriel Luis Moreno, Michael Christian Martinez, San Beda Red Lions, June Mar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena, Mark Galedo, Daniella Uy, Mikee Charlene Suede, Jessie Aligaga, Jean Claude Saclag, Philippine dragon boat team, Philippine poomsae team (male under-30), Philippine poomsae team (freestyle), Kid Molave and Jonathan Hernandez.
Receiving citations on the other hand are the 3×3 men’s cage team to the Fiba 3×3 World Tour Finals, NU Lady Bulldogs, San Beda Red Cubs, Anita Koykka, Maybelline Masuda, Annie Ramirez, Geylord Coveta, the Philippine Taekwondo team (male under-30), Francis Aaron Agojo, and the PH taekwondo team composed of Jeordan Dominguez, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Jaylord Seridon, Joe Vanni Colega, Rodolfo Reyes Jr., McAvyngyr Alob, Clement Tsulong Tan, Elisabella Cesista, Leanarda Nicole Landrito, Rinna Babanto, Jocel Lyn Ninobla, and Janna Dominique Oliva.
Kenneth San Andres, Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Paul Vivas, August Benedicto, Claire Adorna, Bong Lopez, Philippine Basketball Marathon, University of the East junior volleyball team, Adamson women’s softball team, Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors, Pagpupugay, Philippine Collegiate Champions League, Accel, Unilab Active Health and Junior Golfers League will also receive citations.