President Macapagal-Arroyo has graciously accepted at the last minute the invitation to be the special guest in the simple but fitting two-hour rites honoring the best and brightest in local sports who did their share in making the year just passed a truly memorable one.
This marks the second time since she became President in 2001 that the Chief Executive will be attending the awards night of the country’s oldest media organization composed of sportswriters from national broadsheets and tabloids.
Together with guest of honor and speaker Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez, President Arroyo will personally hand the elegant Athlete of the Year trophy to Team Philippines, recipient of the highest award being given by the 100-member, 56-year-old association.
"The presence of no less than President Arroyo makes the affair a truly special night for our athletes," said PSA president Jimmy Cantor of Malaya.
Team Philippines was bestowed the Athlete of the Year award by virtue of its historic triumph in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games which saw the country bag the overall title for the first time since joining the meet in 1977.
Diver Sheila Mae Perez, one of four Filipino three-gold medal winners in the biennial meet, banners the 22 other athletes who will be the recipients of the major awards during the program sponsored by Red Bull, supported by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and to be telecast on a delayed basis by NBN-4.