Seven legends enter Philippine Sports Hall of Fame

Legends in their respective sports during the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Seven extraordinary athletes whose legacies have shaped the nation’s sporting history were honored during the 5th Philippine Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at PSC House inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The evening celebrated the remarkable journeys of Ramon Fernandez, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, Isidro del Prado, Adeline Dumapong, Cecil Mamiit, Bea Lucero‑Lhuillier, and the late Eduardo “Eddie” Pacheco, each representing different disciplines yet united by their enduring impact on Philippine sports.

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From Fernandez’s dominance on the basketball court, Velasco’s Olympic silver in boxing, and del Prado’s record‑breaking sprints, to Dumapong’s trailblazing Paralympic medal, Mamiit’s international tennis success, Lucero‑Lhuillier’s dual‑sport brilliance, and Pacheco’s rare versatility in football and basketball, the enshrinees embody the resilience, sacrifice, and triumph of the Filipino athlete.

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“Your achievements have transformed the national imagination,’’ Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio told the enshrinees.

“In the same spirit, we seek to do more than create beautiful spaces, we want to continue the work of transforming hearts and minds,’’ added Gregorio, who is also the Chairman of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.

The ceremony also marked the unveiling of the newly transformed PSC House.

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Gregorio said the renovation was a tribute to the athletes themselves and the legacies they create.

He also spoke about the establishment of Regional Training Centers nationwide to decentralize opportunities for young athletes.

“We are doing this because we know the future is at the grassroots,” said Gregorio.

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Some of the National Sports Association presidents representing the sports of the enshrinees joined the celebration, highlighting the institutional backbone behind each athlete’s journey.

Alongside Gregorio, the seven‑man Selection Committee was represented by Games and Amusement Board Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, Pilipinas Curling Federation Secretary General Jarryd Bello, and Vovinam Federation of the Philippines Secretary General Jose “Jop” Malonzo.

Completing the committee were Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Ayala Foundation’s Xavier Virata, and MVP Sports Foundation President Al Panlilio.

The five‑man Review and Evaluation Committee was composed of veteran sports journalists: Quinito Henson, Al Mendoza, Ignacio Dee, Jun Lomibao, and Dodo Catacutan.

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The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame will welcome its next class of Filipino sports heroes in May 2028, honoring their outstanding contributions and achievements in Philippine sports.