PH Yearbook To Feature All-Time Greatest Filipino Athletes

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LIFESTYLE, SPORTS | February 12, 2020

(Image Source: Facebook/Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang)

For the first time in the history of Philippine print media, one publication came out with a book that is solely dedicated to the rich history of sports in the country represented by many great athletes who have brought honor and glory to the nation throughout the years. The newest edition of the Philippines Yearbook, one of the oldest living publications in the country, focuses on featuring some of the greatest sports personalities who have made their mark in what they love and for their country.

Named 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes Of All Time, veteran sports journalists Quinito "The Dean" Henson and Bill Velasco as well as photographer Joel Garcia were among those tasked to narrow down fifty from a rich list of names of Filipino sports heroes in which the yearbook's chairperson and CEO Grace Glory Go and publisher Vernon Go gave their full support on the new edition considering that it is abided by the standards of what was known as the Fookien Times Yearbook when it started publishing in 1936. The featured athletes were carefully selected not only of their achievements in the field of competition but also of being a role model and inspiration to future generations.

Included in the 50 all-time greatest Filipino athletes list across 23 different sports disciplines are the following: June Mar Fajardo, Robert Jaworski, Caloy Loyzaga, Alvin Patrimonio, Ramon Fernandez, Ambrosio Padilla, Tony Genato and Allan Caidic for basketball; Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Donnie "Ahas" Nietes, Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr., Gerry Peñalosa, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde and Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco for boxing; Paeng Nepomuceno, Bong Coo, Lita Dela Cruz, C.J. Suarez, Biboy Rivera and Krizziah Tabora for bowling; Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Rubilen Amit for billiards; Gertrudes Lozada, Haydee Coloso Espiño and Akiko Thompson for swimming; Lydia De Vega-Mercado, Elma Muros-Posadas and Mona Sulayman for athletics.

Also part of the list are Paulino Alcantara and Phil Younghusband for football, Cheryl Nakanishi and Roman Cortuna for bodybuilding, Roland Dantes and Ciriaco Canete for arnis, Ben Arda and Jennifer Rosales for golf, Felix Barrientos and Treat Huey for tennis, Bea Lucero-Lhuiller for gymnastics and taekwondo, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski for equestrian, Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang for mixed martial arts, Meggie Ochoa for jiu-jitsu, Adeline Dumapong for powerlifting, Josephine Medina for table tennis, Eugene Torre for chess, Jethro Dionisio for shooting, the late Pocholo Ramirez for motoring, Boy Codiñera for baseball, and Hidilyn Diaz for weightlifting.

It is hoped that through the book, more people especially the younger generation would get to know the exploits of the featured athletes and learn from their inspiring and amazing stories. The Philippines Yearbook presents 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes Of All Time can be availed at select National Bookstore and Fully Booked branches nationwide or via philippinesyearbook@gmail.com.