The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame will welcome its newest members in the fifth enshrinement ceremony on Saturday at the Philippine Sports Commission House, celebrating a group of athletes whose achievements helped shape the nation’s sporting history.
The class, dubbed the “Magnificent Seven,” features Olympic boxing silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, basketball icon Ramon Fernandez, Paralympics bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta of para powerlifting, tennis standout Cecil Mamiit, athletics star Isidro del Prado, and two-sport achievers Bea Lucero-Lhuillier of gymnastics and taekwondo, and the late Eduardo Alvir Pacheco of basketball and football.
Their induction marks another milestone for the Hall of Fame, which continues to preserve the legacy of Filipino athletes who brought pride to the country on the international stage.
The announcement of the seven inductees was made last April, with the original ceremony scheduled for May. However, the Philippine Sports Commission decided to move the event to ensure the athletes themselves could attend and personally receive the recognition.
During the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC media room, Anna Christine Abellana from the Office of Deputy Executive Director-Bureau on Coordinating Secretariat and Support Services explained why the ceremony was postponed.
“He (Chairman Pato Gregorio) wants everyone to be here, that’s why we have to address the dates and invitations. So we even had to extend for a month para mahanap silang lahat,” she said.
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NEW INDUCTEES IN THE PH SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Ipinakilala na ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) ang ikalimang batch ng sports legends na iluluklok sa Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.
Kabilang dito sina:
• Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta… pic.twitter.com/rUvB4PTSLE— News5 (@News5PH) April 13, 2026
The effort paid off, as all living inductees confirmed their attendance.
Pacheco, who has already passed away, will be the sole inductee represented by his heirs during the ceremony.
Among the honorees, Mamiit’s attendance carries special significance. The 49-year-old former tennis star will travel from the United States to witness his own induction. A six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and two-time Asian Games bronze medal winner, Mamiit remains one of the most accomplished Filipino tennis players in history.
“He (Mamiit) has already confirmed, and he’ll be arriving on the 19th from the United States,” Abellana confirmed his arrival.
The ceremony will be led by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos also delivering a special message.
Aside from the honor of being inducted, each enshrinee will receive P500,000 and a specially designed Hall of Fame trophy created by Leandro Baldemor.
The new trophy design will also be unveiled during the ceremony, marking a new visual identity for the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.
Jan Errol Facundo, head of the PSC Integrated Communication and Events Office, explained the significance of the new design.
“The one they will be receiving will be the perpetual design of the (Hall of Fame) trophy. So magkakaroon ng bagong mukha ang tropeo ng Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. And it will be unveiled during the ceremony which will be another highlight of the program,” added Facundo.
The event will carry a distinctly Filipino theme, with barong tagalog and Filipiniana elements incorporated into the venue branding and activities.
“Our theme will be barong tagalog and Filipiniana and that includes the venue branding and other activations na gagawin sa loob ng ating venue,” said Facundo.
For the organizers, the focus remains on the athletes and their stories.
“We keep the program simple and meaningful kasi gusto ng ating chairman na ma-highlight ang ating mga enshrinees,” he said.
As the seven legends enter the Hall of Fame, the ceremony will serve as more than a celebration of medals and records, it will honor the perseverance and impact of athletes who helped define Philippine sports.
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