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  • Hall of Fame inductee Onyok Velasco believes Olympic boxing gold is within Philippines’ reach

    Hall of Fame inductee Onyok Velasco believes Olympic boxing gold is within Philippines’ reach

    After the Philippines first stepped onto the Olympic stage, boxing remains the sport that has carried much of the country’s medal hopes — and Onyok Velasco believes the long-awaited gold breakthrough is within reach.

     

    Since the country’s Olympic debut in 1924, the Philippines has collected 18 medals in the competition, with 10 of those coming from Filipino boxers. Among the fighters who came closest to delivering the country’s first boxing gold was Velasco himself during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

     

    At just 22 years old, Velasco entered the light flyweight final with history within reach. Standing across from him was Bulgaria’s Daniel Petrov, but after the final bell, the judges awarded the bout to Petrov, 19-6, leaving Velasco with a silver medal.

     

    While many questioned the result, the scoreboard officially recorded Velasco as a silver medalist — a finish that still stands as one of the Philippines’ most memorable Olympic boxing performances.

     

    Decades later, Velasco’s impact on Philippine sports was recognized when he was inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame as part of the “Magnificent Seven.” He was joined by his brother Roel Velasco, who captured bronze in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

     

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    The “Magnificent Seven” was also included Paralympic bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta, basketball great Mon Fernandez, tennis standout Cecil Mamiit, multi-sport athlete Bea Lucero-Lhuillier, athletics legend Isidro Del Prado, and the late Eduardo Pacheco of basketball and football.

     

    For Velasco, the missed opportunity in 1996 is no longer a source of regret. Instead, he sees it as a sign that the country’s first Olympic boxing gold is a goal the current generation can finally achieve.

     

    The Philippines has continued to build its boxing legacy after Velasco’s run. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, three Filipino boxers reached the podium, with Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam winning silver medals and Eumir Marcial earning bronze.

     

    The momentum continued at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Petecio secured another bronze medal alongside fellow boxer Aira Villegas.

     

    With the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 approaching, Velasco remains convinced that the breakthrough moment for Philippine boxing is coming.

     

    “Sa totoo lang talaga, magkakaroon tayo ng Olympic (gold) sa boxing. Hindi ko lang alam kung itong Olympics, basta magkakaron din,” Velasco said.

     

    The former Olympian also reminded the country’s fighters to focus on the opponent rather than outside distractions when chasing victory on the biggest stage.

     

    “Wag niyo isipin yung mga officiating, isipin niyo talunin yung kalaban niyo. Kumbaga sa laban, parang wala nang bukas. Huwag niyo na isipin yung sunod na araw. Pati yung unang laban mo. Kasi pag natalo ka, wala na eh,” the silver medalist olympian said.

     

    Looking back at his own journey, Velasco expressed gratitude for being included among the country’s sporting legends.

     

    “Talagang napakasaya karena napasama po ako dito sa Hall of Fame. Di ko naman akalain na makasama po ako dito. Talagang nagulat ako na napasama ako,” Velasco said.

     

    After leaving his mark on Philippine boxing history, Velasco now shifts his focus to the athletes who continue the mission he started — bringing home the country’s first Olympic boxing gold.

     

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  • ‘Magnificent Seven’ set for Philippine Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement

    ‘Magnificent Seven’ set for Philippine Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement

    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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    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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  • Seven icons to be inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame

    Seven icons to be inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame

    Some legacies go beyond the scoreboard. On May 20, seven of the country’s most distinguished athletes will take their place in history, not just for what they achieved, but for what they represented during their time wearing the national colors.


    Dubbed the “Magnificent Seven,” this newest class of Hall of Fame inductees reflects a diverse era of Philippine sports. 

     

    Leading the group is Olympic silver medalist Monsueto “Onyok” Velasco, whose run in boxing remains one of the nation’s most cherished Olympic memories. 

     

    He is joined by basketball legend Ramon Fernandez, along with fellow standouts Eduardo Pacheco, Isidro del Prado, Beatrice Lucero-Lhuillier, Cecil Mamiit, and para-athlete Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta—each carrying a story that helped elevate Philippine sports on both local and international stages.

     

    Their inclusion was no simple decision. From a pool of 75 nominees, the final seven emerged after careful deliberation, underscoring just how deep the country’s sporting history runs.

     

    “There were 75 nominees who were deserving but we had to choose the brightest among them,” Tolentino, the POC president said.

     

    The rigorous selection process was carried out by a distinguished panel led by Patrick Gregorio and Abraham Tolentino, alongside Francisco Rivera, Jarryd Belo, Jose Malonzo, Xavier Virata, and Al Panlilio. Supporting the process was a Review and Evaluation Committee composed of respected media practitioners such as Jun Lomibao, Al Mendoza, Ignacio Dee, Quinito Henson, and Dodo Catacutan, ensuring a balanced and credible selection.

     

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    Officials are already exploring changes that would expand recognition beyond athletes and coaches, potentially honoring contributors who helped shape the sporting landscape from behind the scenes. These proposed updates, however, will require legislative backing before they can take effect in future inductions.

     

    For the Philippine Sports Commission, the Hall of Fame serves a deeper purpose than recognition alone. It is meant to preserve identity, to tell stories that define what it means to compete for country and flag.

     

    “The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is more than just an honor roll of medals—it is a living ledger of greatness to honor those who have defined what it means to be Filipino in sport. They are the pride and memory of a nation,” Gregorio, PSC chairman said.

     

    As the fifth batch of inductees, the “Magnificent Seven” will bring the total number of honorees to 54, adding their names to a growing lineage that dates back to the Hall’s creation through Republic Act No. 8757. 

     

    More than a ceremony, their induction marks the continuation of a story—one where past achievements fuel future inspiration, and where every generation is reminded of the standard set before them.

     

     

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