Tam, Pacio lead first batch of Benguet CARES awardees

May 2, 2022 Provincial

A legendary boxer who almost made it to the pinnacle of the sport and the youngest champion from what could be the best mixed martial arts stable in Asia are two of 41 athletes and sportsmen honored during the inaugural Benguet CARES (Cordillera Athletic Recognition for Excellence in Sports) last April 22 at the Newtown Plaza Hotel in Baguio.
Joshua Pacio led the march of athletes as he was honored as athlete of the year and in recognition of the successful defense of his ONE strawweight crown, which he won on April 12, 2019.
Pacio received the top award “for his exemplary performance and accomplishments in the field of Mixed Martial Arts and for giving honor and prestige to the Province of Benguet”
“It’s better to be fighting than standing in front of you (talking),” said the 26-year-old, who echoed what fellow Team
Lakay member Islay Erika Bomogao earlier. Joining him is Rey Tam who was honored as Hall of Fame in first of the awards that could be made an annual event under the sports development office of the Benguet provincial government.
Organizers said the 36-9-1 (win-draw-loss)Tam was recognized “for his unparalleled performances, outstanding contributions in the field of boxing, giving honor and prestige to the Province of Benguet.”
Tam was active from 1974 to 1982 when he rose from obscurity to winning the Philippine super featherweight title on July 30, 1977, here which led him to fight the legendary Alexis Arguello on April 29, 1978, at The Forum in Inglewood, California where he lost.
Named executive, sportsman, and coach of the year are Manuel Bitog, Benguet State University football coach Frael Aquino and Team Lakay founder and head coach Marquez Sangiao, in that order. Former Southeast Asian Games marathon queen Christable Martes was the lifetime achievement awardee “for her passion, unconditional commitment and enduring dedication in the field of track and field…”
Young athletes Bomogao and Crisamuel Delfin were named the young sports achiever of the year. The Kapangan native Bomogao won a silver medal in the 2019 SEAG in muay Thai and the same medal in the 2019 East Asian Muaythai Championship.
In December last, she won two gold medals and a bronze in the IFMA World Championship.
Samuel won the gold medal in arnis anyo in the 2019 SEAG. Four posthumous awards were also given to Felix Agayas in kickboxing, the late Dominador Garin in baseball, Cildo Evasco as an international boxing referee, and former University of Baguio athletics director Alan Elegado, who died on November 1 last year.
Wushu taolu players Daniel Parantac, Thornton Lou Sayan, and Jones Inso were given a citation for their achievements in wushu taolu along with their master Tony Candelaria.
Other awardees are Jason Saltin Baucas in wrestling, the family of Jethro, Lou Ann and their children Josh, Dash and Arrow in triathlon, Mariane Mariano and Jedd Andre Kim in sambo, Rusha
Mae Bayacsan in muay Thai waikru, Ariel Lee Lampacan and Jenelyn Olsim in muay Thai, Erlinda Lavandia in the throwing events of athletics, Auide Menzi for football, kickboxers Jerry Olsim, Gina Iniong – Aroas, Karol Maguide, and Jean Claude Saclag.
Siblings Gibran and Godwyn Langbayan for Brazilian jujitsu, taekwondo players Elcanor Mangusan, Jr., Khyla Kraenzzel Guintoand Trisha Lobbonan as well as the Braveheart’s Martial Arts Institute, Mico Dumalos, Mark Gonzalo Benter, and Betty Mae Agad for dancesport, Carl Jammes Martin in professional boxing and Ceasar Lukines for bodybuilding. Citations were also given to Baguio journalists and their outfits like Baguio Midland Courier with Harley Palangchao and Ofelia Empian, Roderick Osis for Score, Jordan Tablac for Bombo Radyo and this writer, among others.
Pigeon Lobien/ABN