Sports heroes feted anew tonite

The best and the brightest in Philippine sports last year will be feted tonight during the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (SCOOP) Annual Awards at the Bulwagan Room of the Pantalan Maynila Specialty Restaurant at the Luneta.

Twenty-five athletes will be given recognition led by Achiever of the Year Awardee, former International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who will be awarded the 23-inch high Gawad Pancho Villa Barako Silver Cup.

The award ceremonies will start at 7 p.m. with Manila Mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza as guest of honor and speaker.

SCOOP members, honorees and guests are requested to come early for registration, which starts at 5 p.m.

Seventeen more individuals, whose achievements, leadership and support have contributed to the growth of Philippine sports, will also be feted.

The Annual Awards Night is sponsored by San Miguel Corp., the Philippine Sports Commission, Mayor Atienza and Photokina Marketing and supported by Airfreight 2100, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Basketball League.

The complete list of awardees:

Gawad Pancho Villa Barako (Achiever of the Year) – Manny Pacquiao.

Gawad Kahusayan (Ten Outstanding Filipino Sportsmen) – Christian Jan Suarez, RP Three-Woman Team, Arvin Ting, Rene Catalan, Bacolod City Girls Softball Team, Mark Paragua, Marcus Valda, Rexel Ryan Fabriga, Willie Wang and Lee Van Corteza.

Gawad Katapangan (Badge of Courage) – Romeo Brin, Rodel Mayol, John Baylon, Gretchen Malalad and the RP Traditional Boat Race Team.

Gawad Bukas-Landas (Vic Villafranca Memorial Trailblazers Award) – Eduardo Buenavista, Glenn Aguilar and Juan Carlos Miguel Mendoza.

Gawad Ningning (Brilliancy Award) – Eugene Torre and Ronald Dableo.

Gawad Kabataan (Sim Sotto Memorial Youth Award) – Jayvee Agojo, Rachelle Ann Cabral, Kenneth San Andres and Marichi Gandionco.

Gawad Habang Buhay (Lifetime Achievement Award) – Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan.

Gawad Liderato (Sports Leadership Award) — Steve Hontiveros, Sen. Robert Jaworski Sr., Eric Buhain, Celso Dayrit, Go Teng Kok, Bong Coo, Arnold "Ali" Atienza, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Bert Lina, Gov. Tomas Joson III, Sang Youl Eom and Hermie Esguerra.

Gawad Kabisig for Friends of SCOOP–George Chua, Vicvic Villavicencio and Mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza.