By: Waylon Galvez
They may have suited up for Team Philippines in different eras, but their remarkable achievements — particularly in numerous international competitions — have earned them a place among the newest Hall of Fame inductees.
Dubbed the “Magnificent Seven,” the group was officially recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The list includes former national team standouts Eduardo Pacheco (basketball and football), Isidro del Prado (athletics), Ramon Fernandez (basketball), Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco (boxing), Beatrice Lucero-Lhuillier (gymnastics and taekwondo), Cecil Mamiit (tennis), and para-athlete Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta (weightlifting).
Their inclusion was announced by PSC and POC officials as the latest additions to the Hall of Fame.
The group’s selection was finalized following a thorough screening process and extensive deliberations by the Selection Committee, led by PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
The “Magnificent Seven” were formally unveiled on Monday, April 13, at the PSC Media Room in Vito Cruz, Manila. Their induction ceremony is tentatively scheduled for May 20 at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace.
This latest batch marks the fifth installment of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, which was established by law in 2010. With these new inductees, the total number of honorees rises to 54, following previous enshrinements of 10 athletes in the inaugural class, 17 in 2016, 10 in 2018, and another 10 in 2021.
Each inductee will receive a specially crafted trophy by renowned sculptor Leandro Baldemor, along with a cash prize of P500,000.
“The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is more than 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,” said Gregorio, who co-headed the selection committee with Tolentino.
“These are not just names. They are the pride and memory of a nation. The search for new enshrinees has been difficult because there are many stories of greatness in sports,” he added.
“Some are measured in medals. Many are not. And yet we undertake this task, because a nation that remembers its champions is a nation that continues to produce them.”
The process will culminate in a star-studded enshrinement ceremony, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expected to attend as the special guest.
Tolentino said the seven honorees represent the very best of Philippine sports from 1924 to 2014, joining past inductees such as Teofilo Yldefonso, Caloy Loyzaga, Miguel White, Mona Sulaiman, Felicisimo Ampon, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Pancho Villa, Robert Jaworski, Paeng Nepomuceno, Bong Coo, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, and Elma Muros-Posadas.
The POC chief added that the seven were selected from a pool of 75 nominees.
“Lahat naman deserving but we had to choose,” said Tolentino, who also revealed plans to amend the law governing the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. The proposed changes include recognizing sports patrons and leaders, as well as clarifying the provision that currently limits eligibility to retired athletes and coaches.
Tolentino said congressional support would be needed to implement these amendments in time for the next batch of inductees in 2028.
“I will be the one to push for that (amendment). It is very important to have sports leaders, sports patrons and even media. We want to see them in the Hall of Fame,” said Gregorio.
Other members of the Selection Committee include Games and Amusements Board chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, NSA representatives Jarryd Belo and Jose Malonzo, Ayala Foundation representative Xavier Virata, and MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio.
The Review and Evaluation Committee, meanwhile, was composed of sports journalists Jun Lomibao, Al Mendoza, Ignacio Dee, Quinito Henson, and Dodo Catacutan.
