Finally, Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera can call it a career home run.
The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) gave the former baseball star the honor he deserves, bestowing the Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday at the 2016 PSA Awards in One Esplanade in Pasay City.
“He was really the one who really excelled in sports,” said one of Codiñera’s sons, Jerry, who went on to become a legend in his own right as a former standout in the Philippine Basketball Association. “He passed it down to us to excel in every sport we enter to. Failure is not an option for him.”
“That’s why, together with my mom, he was shaken when the people gave him a standing ovation. I was speechless. I thought it was just a simple award.”
It was an emotional evening for the Codiñeras as their patriarch was honored for his contributions to Philippine sports. One of his greatest achievements was leading the Philippines to a bronze medal finish in the 1972 World Softball Championship.
Codiñera was in a wheelchair but the happiness in his eyes was obvious.
“He cried,” said Jerry. “That’s one of the last awards he received. He was really happy. Kumbaga, kumpleto na.”
Jerry said that one of these days, the family will take their father to the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, one of his old stomping grounds, to watch the game that he loves.
“He really wants to watch. He’s happy when he watches,” Jerry said. “One of these days, when he gets better, we’ll bring him there.”
Boy Codinera with sons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net.