Thursday, July 24, 2008 Athletes honored in SKC Awards By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
SOUTHEAST Asian (SEA) Games bronze medalist Jho-an Banayag was elated to receive her Female Athlete of the Year award during the 14th So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation Awards Night at the Grand Regal Hotel last Tuesday.
It was Banayag's second time to receive the award.
"Athlete of the year pud ko miaging tuig. Nalipay gyud ko kay gitagaan ko ug plake ug pagtagad sa So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation. Ilahang gi-recognize akong achievements, dako kaayo na siya nga kalipay sa akoa (I was also given the same recognition last year. I'm very happy and grateful to the SKCSF for recognizing my achievements)," beamed the 26-year-old long marathoner from Compostela Valley in an interview with Sun.Star Davao.
Guest speaker Philippine Sports Commissioner lawyer Ambrosio de Luna, SKCSF chairman So Peng Kee and Davao City Sports Council, Inc. (DCSCI) president Councilor Peter Laviña presented the award to Banayag.
who took her Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree at the University of Mindanao in 2005.
"Ako kining award ay para sa akong kapwa atleta ug labaw na sa akong pamilya (I offer this award to my fellow athletes and most specially to my family)," Banayag said.
Banayag was hailed most outstanding female athlete after having won a bronze in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand and sweeping the titles in the Philippine International Marathon in Manila and Subic International Marathon.
Davao City diver Rexel Ryan Fabriga, who is at the height of preparations for his first-ever Olympics stint in Beijing next month, wasn't around to claim his first male athlete of the year award. His mother received it for him instead.
Fabriga bagged a gold medal and a silver in the Thailand SEA Games.
The other athletes honored were:
* Paolo Juachon Dela Riarte (arnis)
* Jonash Melchor and Jemalyn Molde (athletics)
* Katherin Kim Mayono (badminton)
* Jake Pabustan (baseball)
* Robinson Palomares and Geraldine Villa (basketball)
* Rey Ylanan (bodybuilding)
* Louella Cerna and Martin Birondo (duckpin bowling)
* Allan Edulan and Melanie Kuwahara (tenpin bowling)
* Rowelyn Joy Acedo and John Ray Batucan (chess)
* Glenn Yap and Marcial Catangue (cycling)
* Mark Carneros and Jennylou Mosqueda (judo)
* Joeffrey Albarico and Daniza Dianne Legaspina (karatedo)
* Andrei Banate and Sandra Lagman (lawn tennis)
* Aaron Kent Odiong (muay thai)
* Errol Valencia (sepak takraw)
* Luvelyn Maganda (softball women)
* Haroon Cali and Rachel Kehl (swimming)
* Joeffrey Sajol and Jacqueline Caragao (table tennis)
* Leslie Herrero and Terry Larazabal (triathlon)
Meanwhile, former DCSCI president Victoria Atienza Sai was given a posthumous award that was received by his son Kenneth.
Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) president Charles Raymond A. Maxey also received Ferdie "Batman" Lintuan's posthumous plaque.
The traditional raffle of prizes to attendees spiced up the affair that featured the singing of happy birthday to the late sports patron So Kim Cheng. A family member blew the candles on his birthday cake.
