CEBU, Philippines — The Tour de Cebu bagged this year’s adventure event of the year in the Sports Turismo Alliance 6th Philippines Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA).
The Tour de Cebu is the country's only 1000-kilometer car rally that goes across the Visayas region organized by Performance and Classics Enthusiasts (PACE) Cebu and showcased classic cars and scenic routes with thrilling endurance driving.
Its uniqueness has drawn the attention not only of the Cebuanos and the rest of the Filipinos, but even car enthusiasts abroad.
Further, Cebu-born businessman and sportsman Wilfred Uytengsu was awarded the Sports Tourism Personality of the Year (Private Sector) "for his pivotal role in advancing endurance sports in the Philippines, notably through bringing the IRONMAN triathlon series to the country and inspiring growth in local athletics."
Dumaguete City was also awarded the Emerging Destination of the Year.
Known as the City of Gentle People, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental features friendly locals, a scenic seafront boulevard, and rich cultural heritage, making it a welcoming spot for visitors.
Sunrise Events, organizer of the 5i50 triathlon event was also named as Event Organizer of the Year, while Bellevue Resort Bohol, the host for the recent 5i50 was named as Hotel of the Year.
Sunrise Events Inc. led by Princess Galura is part of the Ironman Group and the driving force behind the IRONMAN brand and races in the Philippines including the IRONMAN 70.3 event in Lapu-Lapu.
Another running event, the Rock and Roll Running Series, which is also organized by Sunrise Events came out as the Destination Marketing of the Year.
The longest-existing running event in the country, the Milo Marathon, which also included Mandaue City as one of its legs last year, came out as the Domestic Event of the Year.
The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP), on the other hand, had its hands full after coming out as MICE Event of the Year via the XXI1FIBA Congress, the Event of the Year (International) for the FIBA World Cup Manila and the Sports Association of the Year.
Subic Bay Freeport came out as the Destination of the Year, while Puerto Princesa City had been named as Organizer of the Year (Government Sector) and Robinsons Mall got the Mall Sports Venue of the Year.
Other awardees include Go For Gold as Charity Event of the Year; Cebu Pacific as Airline of the Year; MVP Sports Foundation as Event Sponsorship of the Year; and Mall of Asia Arena as Venue of the Year.
Former Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch" Ramirez was also recognized as the Sports Tourism Personality of the Year (Government Sector) “for his outstanding contributions to Philippine Sports development and his dedication to supporting athletes on the international and national stages."
Clark Freeport Zone completes this year’s awardees with the Hall of Fame award. (CEBU NEWS)