THE Philippine Sports Hall of Fame (PSHOF) will formally enshrine 10 of the country's sports heroes in an elegant digital ceremony worthy of their unparalleled achievements on Sunday.

Football great Paulino Alcantara, famed swimmer Eric Buhain, track and field star Elma Muros-Posadas, basketball legend Robert Jaworski and 1988 Olympic bowling gold medalist Arianne Cerdeña will be elevated into the pantheon of Filipino sports heroes in the ceremony to be aired over PTV4 starting 7 p.m.

Joining the fourth batch of inductees since the Philippine Sports Commission established the PSHOF more than a decade ago are Dionisio Calvo (basketball and football coach), Gertrudes Lozada (swimming), Rogelio Onofre (athletics) and Olympic bronze medalist boxers Leopoldo Serantes and Roel Velasco.

"Congratulations to all the fourth batch of enshrines. These heroes and their achievements have become a source of pride and inspiration for us and the future generation of Filipinos,'' said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

By virtue of Republic Act 8757 or the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame Act, Ramirez chaired the PSHOF Selection Committee as PSC chief with Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino as vice-chairperson.

"I definitely appreciate the work of the committee for this recognition of our sports heroes, which serves as an inspiration to all,'' Tolentino said.

Games and Amusements Board Chairman Abraham Mitra and national sports association representatives—Philippine Football Federation secretary general Atty. Ed Gastanes and PhilCycling secretary general Atty. Billy Sumagui—were members of the selection committee.

Completing the selection committee are Philippine Olympians Association president Akiko Thomson-Guevara and University Athletic Association of the Philippines executive director Atty. Rene Andrei Saguisag Jr.

"It was a journey of discovery. I would like to thank everyone for all their work. It is very enriching for me to be part of this," Ramirez said. "I am pleased with the choices of both the review and selection committees."

The 10 enshrinees will receive P200,000 each and an elegantly-crafted PSHOF trophy.

The review committee was composed of media practitioners Ed Andaya (People's Tonight), Joe Antonio (People's Journal), Rey Bancod (Daily Tribune), Dodo Catacutan (Spin.ph), Quinito Henson (Philippine Star), Tessa Jazmines (BusinessMirror and Larc&Asset PR), Jun Lomibao (BusinessMirror) and Tito Talao (Manila Bulletin).

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