‘Pagpupugay’ honors Filipino sports heroes

As the most accomplished bowler in the world, Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno has a seven-foot statue at the entrance of the International Bowling Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas.

Unfortunately, there’s no monument bearing his likeness anywhere in the Philippines.

Such is the irony that inspired organizers of the “Pagpupugay sa 100 Taon sa Philippine Sports” to pay tribute to 19 sports heroes who made the country proud for the past 100 years.

“We should never forget the greatness of our sports heroes,” said sports broadcaster Chino Trinidad, the prime mover behind the noble project, during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at Shakey’s Malate.

“While we celebrate their greatness as sports heroes, we also like to celebrate their greatness as human beings,” added Trinidad.

Nepomuceno, a six-time world bowling champion who won the preeminent World Cup of Bowling four times in three decades, will be feted along with his fellow Filipino sports icons on June 12, the highlight of the two-week celebration to be held at Resorts World Manila.

Also to be honored are Grandmaster Eugene Torre, football’s Paulino Alcantara, Olympic greats Teofilo Yldefonso, Simeon Toribio, and Miguel White, tennis great Felicisimo Ampon, golfer Ben Arda, and bowlers Lita Dela Rosa, Arianne Cerdena, and Bong Coo.

Also set to receive a trophy crafted by renowned Filipino sculptor Joe Datuin are pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, basketball star Caloy Loyzaga, and boxers Anthony Villanueva, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, Pancho Villa, Ceferino Garcia, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and Manny Pacquiao.

“Let’s remind our countrymen, especially the younger generation, that we’re a great nation and a nation of heroes,” said Trinidad during the weekly forum backed by Accel, Shakey’s and the Pagcor.

From June 1 to 15, memorabilia and photos of Filipino heroes will be in display at the lobby of Resorts World, providing a virtual tour of the country’s sports milestones in the last 100 years.

“We should educate Filipinos and inspire them that we’re capable of becoming world champions,” said Nepomuceno, who attended the forum with Torre, Asia’s first GM.