Jaehwa Bernardo

The athletes who were inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, June 20, 2026. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

'Magnificent Seven' inducted into Philippine Sports Hall of Fame

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782020743143image.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The athletes who were inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, June 20, 2026. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA – The newest batch of sports legends inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame put the spotlight on the importance of support for grassroots development, while aiming to inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes.The so-called &quot;Magnificent Seven&quot; were officially inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Philippine Sports Commission House in Manila.The latest batch of inductees include Olympic silver medalist Onyok Velasco, Paralympic bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta, basketball legend Mon Fernandez, tennis icon Cecil Mamiit, multi-sport athlete Bea Lucero-Lhuillier, athletics great Isidro Del Prado, and the late Eduardo Pacheco of basketball and football.Six out of the seven inductees were present at the enshrinement ceremony, with Pacheco&#x27;s son receiving the posthumous honor on his behalf.&quot;Wala pong Isidro Del Prado kung hindi po natin babalikan ang probinsya ng Sorsogon. Nagkaroon po kami ng maliit na training camp sa pamumuno ni yumaong Governor Raul Lee. At yun po ang naging daan para mapunta ako sa Project Gintong Alay,&quot; Del Prado said.&quot;This recognition is not simply about championships, trophies, records or awards. It is a reminder that the years of hard work, sacrifice, discipline, perseverance, and service to the game truly mattered,&quot; Fernandez said.For Lucero-Lhuillier, being part of the Hall of Fame is one of her greatest achievements as a decorated athlete in gymnastics and taekwondo.&quot;Perhaps the greatest gift the sports gave me is never the medal itself. It was the privilege of representing something greater than myself. Every time I stepped onto the competition floor, I knew I was competing for the Philippines,&quot; she said.&quot;To be inducted into this Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is an honor beyond anything I could have imagined as that nine year old competing,&quot; Lucero-Lhuillier added.Dumapong-Ancheta made history as the first para athlete to be inducted in the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, championing inclusion and awareness.&quot;Standing here as an honoree, I am reminded that progress is possible. The very institution that once made me feel unseen is now honoring me with one of its highest recognition,&quot; she said.&quot;I remember the pioneers and advocates who came before me, whose names were never recorded, and may have been forgotten... Their sacrifices have built the foundation where para athletes like me can stand on,&quot; Dumapong-Ancheta shared.Each inductee received the Philippine Hall of Fame trophy created by renowned artist Leandro Baldemor and P500,000 cash incentive.&quot;A nation that remembers its champions is a nation that will always produce them,&quot; PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio said.&quot;The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is not a medal tally. It is a living memorial to the stories, sacrifices, and aspirations that have built the pride of our nation,&quot; he added.The PSC chief highlighted how the inductees have come from various parts of the country, proof that greatness can come from anywhere as long as the grassroots development is supported.&quot;Our honorees tonight embody that beautiful and difficult journey. They came from the provinces and the grassroots. Every legend we enshrine tonight did not start at the top—they did not wait for greatness to find them. They climbed their way there,&quot; he said.Gregorio said through the regional training centers, they are looking to find and give the next generation of athletes a chance, wherever they may come from.&quot;We are working every day to bring opportunities where the talent is. For too long, our system told young athletes from the provinces: kung gusto mong sumikat, kung gusto mong maging champion, lumuwas ka ng Maynila. We are changing that narrative,&quot; he assured.&quot;You represent a significant shift from the dominant sports narrative that only sees athletes when they start winning. Those days are over. You have shown us: the future is in the grassroots. And because you paved the way, we can confidently follow the roads less traveled to discover the next generation of champions,&quot; the PSC chief added.Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham &quot;Bambol&quot; Tolentino congratulated the inductees through a video message.&quot;Our Hall of Famers tonight are bright affirmations and living embodiments of the Philippine athletes unique brand of strength, resilience and sportsmanship,&quot; he said.&quot;We are deeply thankful for the inspiration you continue to share with younger athletes and other sports advocates. May your light shine even brighter to those inspired by the path you created,&quot; Tolentino added.The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor athletes, coaches, and sports personalities whose achievements brought glory to the country.Pilipinas Curling secretary general Jarryd Bello, who was part of the screening committee, said there are a lot of nominees who are deserving to be selected but they are following a stringent criteria under the law.&quot;Ang daming qualified, pero we have to be selective in the process... Though very deserving yung ibang names, we cannot enter their names because they do not qualify under the law,&quot; he shared.&quot;Isa sa mga urgent diyan yung mga retirees. Ang daming deserving pero hindi pa sila retired. Kasama po sila sa gusto namin ma-nominate but we are limited and bound by law. Eh active pa po sila, naglalaro pa, nagko-coach pa. Nasa law kasi dapat retired na,&quot; Bello added.The next batch of Philippine Sports Hall of Fame inductees will be in two years.

The newest batch of sports legends inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame put the spotlight on the importance of support for grassroots development, while aiming to inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes.

The newest batch of sports legends inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame put the spotlight on the importance of support for grassroots development, while aiming to inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes.