(L-R) Atty. Albert Agra Sports Lawyer, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, Bill Velaso, Mayor Stephen Palmares City of Passi, Peter Zwiener and Lydia D’Amato of Wolfgangs Global Head and Partners, Eric Teng Head Resto PH. Photo: Peter Baltazar

By Edwin Rollon

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio is steering the government sports agency beyond its traditional mandate, championing reforms that position sports not only as a competitive platform but also as a driver of tourism and economic growth.

Hayco shakes hand with Grandmaster Eugene Torre during a youth chess event in Bulacan.

By Edwin Rollon

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Edward Hayco has challenged chess leaders to intensify grassroots development, emphasizing that expanding membership is crucial to producing the country’s next Grandmaster.

Buhain with young swimmers.

The search is on for the fifth batch of inductees to the distinguished Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.

The Philippine Sports Commission, under chairman Patrick Gregorio, will spearhead the search for the latest additions to the growing list of legendary and exceptional Filipinos in the field of sports.

The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1999 through legislation under Republic Act No. 8757 and signed by former President Joseph E. Estrada.

 The first batch of honorees was inducted in 2010 with 10 athletes, followed in 2016 with 17 names, 2018 with another 10 and in 2021, also with 10, bringing the total number of inductees to 47.

 Among the names that are already in the honor roll are Simeon Toribio, Miguel White, Caloy Loyzaga, Ceferino Garcia, Pancho Villa, Gabriel Elorde and Teofilo Yldefonso in 2010; Mona Sulaiman, Ed Ocampo, Kurt Bachmann, Eugene Torre, Felicisimo Ampon and Johnny Jose in 2016; Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Filomeno Codinera, Ambrosio Padilla, Olivia Coo, Paeng Nepomuceno and Ben Arda in 2018; and Elma Muros-Posadas, Robert Jaworski, Arianne Cerdena, Leopoldo Serantes, Roel Velasco, Paulino Alcantara and Eric Buhain in 2021.

The PSC has announced that nominations to the next batch of inductees are now open. Individuals and organizations are invited and welcome to nominate deserving sports icons before the March 15 deadline. People can submit nominations through the PSC Facebook page.

The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame aims “to immortalize the Filipino sports heritage and serve as an inspiration for our countrymen.”

Under the law, those eligible for enshrinement are Filipino athletes, coaches, and trainers who have won a gold medal in any Southeast Asia Games, a silver medalist in any Asian Games, or Asian Games or bronze medalist in any Olympic or World Games, or a world champion in any professional or amateur sports competition.

A seven-man selection committee has been formed, including Gregorio, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio, Games and Amusement Board chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, Tony Lambino of Ayala Foundation, Inc., Vovinam Federation of the Philippines secretary-general Jose “Jop” Malonzo, and Pilipinas Curling secretary-general Jarryd Bello.

A review committee made up of seasoned sports journalists will be part of the search, including Quinito Henson of the Philippine Star, Al Mendoza of Business Mirror, Dodo Catacutan of Spin.ph, Jun Lomibao of Business Mirror and Ignacio Dee of Manila Standard.

Porac, Pampanga  — ALVIERA, the premier integrated mixed-use estate by Ayala Land and Leonio Land, celebrates a triumphant 2025 for its ALVIERA Sports Program.

The Philippine Open Championship—an Asian Tour–sanctioned event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and proudly sponsored by BingoPlus—officially tees off on Wednesday with a thrilling Pro-Am tournament at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club.

More than 130 players are preparing to compete for the Philippine Golf Championship, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, which will kick off the Asian Tour season from February 5 to 8 at the renowned East Course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.