Hats off to SMB-SAC

In 1982, the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) and San Miguel Brewery (SMB) made a pact to institutionalize an annual awards program in a joint undertaking to promote sports in Cebu and to recognize outstanding achievers in sports from the province.

The SAC traces its roots to 1977 when Cebu sportswriting legends Boy Veloso, Orlando Sanchez, Maning Oyson, John Teo Tagle, Job Bonotan Tabada and Juanito Jabat got together to form a fraternity dedicated to the advancement of Cebu sports. The All Cebu Sports Awards became the SAC’s pet project, initially sponsored by San Miguel Corp. and the Jaycees. 

Eventually, in 1983, a partnership was sealed between the SAC and SMB to rename the project as the SMB-SAC All Cebu Sports Awards. It was a fit for SMB to join forces. “Being an advocate of a healthy lifestyle, San Miguel found the effort to recognize athletes in tune with its business position of promoting discipline, love for life through healthy living and the pursuit of nationalism as a product considered by many to be Philippine-made,” said SMB’s Girlie Garces. “For SMB, supporting events such as the All Cebu Sports Awards demonstrates the strong camaraderie it has with media and mutual respect for discipline, sports and the carrying of the national flag by both the writers and the athletes.”

On Feb. 25, the SAC and SMB will celebrate their 35th anniversary of teaming up for the All Cebu Sports Awards at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu. The rich history of celebrating Cebu sports is a testament to the deep well of talent from the province. Basketball, for example, has produced stars like reigning back-to-back-to-back PBA MVP JuneMar Fajardo, Jojo Lastimosa, Dondon Hontiveros, Al Solis, Boy Cabahug, Jake Rojas, Greg Slaughter, Manny Paner, Dondon Ampalayo, Alejandro Miego, Jesse Sullano and J. R. Quinahan.

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Among the athletes who’ve been cited were former WBO minimumweight and lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes, former IBF lightflyweight and flyweight champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa, former WBC superflyweight and WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa, Tour Ng Pilipinas cycling champion Rolando Pagnanawon and marathoners Elberto Banzon and Exequiel Baisac.

In 2014, I was honored to speak in the 32nd edition of the SMB-SAC All Cebu Sports Awards at the Ayala Center where world women’s 9-ball champion Rubilen Amit of Mandaue was named the Athlete of the Year. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet up with long-time Cebu sportswriting friends Rico Navarro, Nimrod Quinones and John Pages. I can still remember years and years ago when I met pillars Boy Veloso, Orlando Sanchez and Maning Oyson in Cebu. They’re all gone now and surely sharing sports stories with each other while watching events unfold from above. Maning and I corresponded often and exchanged notes.  When he came to Manila, we would meet up. When I went to Cebu, we would meet up, too.

It was Olympic marathoner Mary Joy Tabal’s turn to receive the Athlete of the Year award in the last staging which marked the start of SAC president Mike Limpag’s term.

Aside from the Athlete of the Year recognition, there are other awards given out by the SAC. The Presidential Award is presented to a deserving athlete or citizen who is recognized for an outstanding contribution to sports socially, financially or in a manner of encouragement to athletes. In 2010, boxer Z Gorres received the Presidential Award in the 28th gathering at the Casino Español ballroom. The year before, Gorres underwent a delicate surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain after his fight against Luis Melendez in Las Vegas. Gorres had won every round until the 10th and last where he was floored with only a few seconds left. He got up from the canvas, was declared winner by a unanimous decision then collapsed in his corner. Gorres was wheeled out of the arena on a stretcher. It was a miracle that he survived.

When Gorres arrived at the Casino Español, he was in a wheelchair. But when his name was called to receive the Presidential Award, he got up and gingerly walked to a standing ovation. The moment will forever be etched in the history not only of the SMB-SAC All Cebu Sports Awards but also of Philippine sports. Today, Gorres is 34 and grateful to God to be alive and to his family, friends and fans for their prayers and support.

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The Orlando Sanchez Award is given to a sportsman who has supported sports as a citizen. The awardee may have contributed in kind, facilitated an event or assisted sportsmen in their pursuits so that the athlete or athletes were able to reach their potential. Special Citations are given to athletes who have shown potential and have grown in their sport and Major Awards are given to athletes and teams with triumphs in national and international competitions. The Athlete of the Year is chosen from among the recipients of the Major Awards. He or she is cited for an outstanding achievement in sports and recognized not only for skill but also for character.

 Sports patrons who have been cited with awards included philanthropist and ALA Boxing CEO Tony Aldeguer, former Ministry of Youth and Sports Development regional director David Odilao Jr., YMCA Cebu head and Cebu Milo marathon organizer Crisologo Caparoso, former Cebu councilor and international shooting competition organizer Jingjing Osmeña and Cebu City sports commissioner and Dancesport International awardee Edward Hayco.

“Through its influence and status as a credible award-giving body, the program has been instrumental in promoting sports in the province through engaging Cebu-based sportswriters and editors, creating a recognition event for athletes and sports patrons and involving outstanding and influential members of the community,” said Garces. “Congressmen and government officials have noted the efforts of the sportswriters and have likewise given recognition to both the event and sportsmen as a venue for promoting national identity and pride. Through the sports awards, local leaders have learned more about sports and how they can extend support towards promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Congratulations to the SAC and SMB for an enduring partnership and their 35th milestone.