By MARK REY MONTEJO
Paris Games bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas headline a long list of awardees in the 2025 Women in Sports Awards set on Saturday, March 15, at Century Hotel Manila.
After its successful inauguration last year, the Women in Sports Awards, backed by Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Commission for Women, will once again honor elite athletes who brought honor and glory to the country from various international meets.
Petecio and Villegas will be the recipient of the Female Athletes of the Year honor following their podium finish in the 33rd edition of the Summer Games held last year in the French capital.
“Maraming female athletes natin tuwang-tuwa from the older ones that paved the way for female athletes of today,” said PSC executive director Paulo Tatad in Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
Tatad represented in the weekly session Commissioner and bowling great Bong Coo, who was the brainchild behind the event.
“We’re celebrating International Women’s Month, there’s no better way than to honor our female athletes… whether individual or team sports,” he added.
This year’s iteration is expected to be bigger than the previous edition as 136 officials, coaches, and athletes will be cited.
Jiu-jitsu artist Meggie Ochoa will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
According to event’s secretary Rachel Dumuk, aside from boosting women power campaign, the event also aims to promote inclusivity as they will also honor athletes with disabilities.
“This also promotes inclusivity, if you’ve noticed meron po kaming 8-10 awardees with disabilities. Again, ‘di po natin sila [pwedeng] maisasantabi or malalagay sa lower level,” said Dumuk.
“They’re achievers in themselves, not even achieving a medal, achievers na po sila by just competing in the field of sports,” she added.
Also included in the list are Paris Olympians Sam Catantan, Lauren Hoffman, Levi Jung-Ruvuivar, Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan, Joannie Delgaco, Bianca Pagdanganan, Dottie Ardina, Kayla Sanchez, Elreen Ando, and Vanessa Sarno; and Paralympians Augustina Bantiloc and Angel Otom.
“PSC does this to support women empowerment, inclusivity, within the Philippine sports… this is a very inclusive ceremony, this is not all about the athletes, but also the coaches, executives,” Tatad continued.
“Even those who weren’t athletes in their past but contributed immensely whether into programs, initiatives to really help the Philippine sports, especially the females,” he added.
There are over 50 major award recipients – both individuals and teams – from various sports and multiple citations to be given in the gala where top sports officials
Each awardees will have a ring — a suitable one.
