Sports Hall of Fame

I received instructions from Mayor Michael Rama yesterday afternoon to get the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame going again after a few years of inactivity. 

Although I wasn’t part of the original group that put the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame together, I was often at the meetings to cover the proceedings. I was there when the first batch of honorees were enshrined in 1990 and was there in the succeeding years.

It was somewhat by default that I was asked to replace the late Orlando C. Sanchez in the screening committee when he passed on in 1994. I joined Wilfredo ‘Boy’ Veloso and lawyer Manuel ‘Manny’ Oyson in the committee.

In 2001, Boy Veloso also passed on leaving me and Atty. Oyson to man the committee and he left me all by my lonesome in the committee when he also passed on in 2006.

Orlacsan, Boy, and Atty. Maning are now all hall of famers themselves for their contribution to sports in Cebu as writers. 

In a meeting at city hall yesterday, Mayor Rama said that he hopes that the hall of fame would recognize people for their feats while they are still very much around to savor it.

I don’t want to disappoint the mayor by saying that it is impossible to do this with very limited time, so I am appealing to our readers to help me get some names that would be considered for the hall of fame.

The requirements to be enshrined are the following:

- The nominee must be a native born Cebuano or had chosen to live here and is known to be a Cebuano in his or her chosen sport. We have several hall of famers, who fall in this special category like Antonio L. Aldeguer, Michel Lhuillier, Ramon Fernandez, and Graeme MacKinnon.

- The nominee must have competed in the international level or is known as a legend of his or her sport like the legendary Jose Moring, Jr., who was best known for his bicycle tricks.

- Of course, the nominee must not anymore be actively competing in the sport.

If you know of anyone, who might be qualified, feel free to send email to [email protected] along with a brief bio of the nominee, a picture, and of course proof of the feats of the nominee.

Some people, who have been enshrined into the hall of fame had never been international winners, but had been well-known in their sport the world over.

You can also send your nominations to the office of the Cebu City Sports Commission under the grandstand of the Cebu City Sports Center. 

If your nominee can’t make it on time for the enshrinement set on February 16, you can still submit the needed papers as accepting nominations will be done year round.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

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MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to my niece Nikaela Randi N. Quiñones, who turned 9 years old last weekend.

Belated greetings also to those who celebrated last Monday like Col. Rozzano D. Briguez of the Air Force, my classmate Risa Fe Mabuyo-Palacio, Nino Bascon of San Remegio, Tonton Fenequito-Salgado, and Lester Cañizares.

The same goes to those who celebrated yesterday like Ignacio ‘Atio’ Catelo, Desiree Gandullas, Madame Lorna Parrotina, Joy Fajardo, and Atty. Manolito ‘Bobong; Seno.

Today’s greetings go to Rene Rolette Tan of Parkmall, Dennie Vieve Villareal, and Antoinette Parce.

Best wishes also to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Chendrina (Rosaroso) Ebuna, who tied the knot yesterday.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN