RAMIREZ NAMED TOP EXECUTIVE
THE man behind the success of Team Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games will have his share of the limelight in the San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night. Team Philippines Chef de Mission William “Butch” Ramirez will be honored with the Executive of the Year honor during the March 6 gala at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel for his successful stewardship of the country’s successful campaign in the SEA Games.
Ramirez, also the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is credited for steering the Philippines to a second overall championship of the SEA Games after 14 years—or when the country hosted in 2005 with Ramirez also as chef de mission.
The 1,115-strong Filipino athletes won a record haul of 149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze medals, the most for the Philippines since joining the Games in 1977.
Ramirez joins an elite group of sportsmen who were bestowed the same prestigious award by the country’s oldest media organization headed by President Tito Talao of the Manila Bulletin. The list includes the likes of Manuel V.
Pangilinan, Ramon S. Ang, Wilfred Uytengsu, Hans Sy, Ricky Vargas, Chito Salud, Ernesto “Judes” Echauz, Dan Palami and Philip Ella Juico.
Ramirez joins the entire Team Philippines to the SEA Games— named Athlete of the Year—on centerstage during the awards night also presented by the PSC, Milo, Cignal TV, Philippine Basketball Association, Rain or Shine and AirAsia.
The country’s sportswriting fraternity will also be handing out trophies for the President’s
Award and the National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year. The other awards are Ms. Basketball, Mr. Volleyball, Ms. Golf, Mr. Football and Coach of the Year.
There will also be recipients of Major Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, Tony Siddayao Awards, Milo Junior Athletes Award and citations to be led by the SEA Games gold-medal winners. Sports personalities who passed away last year will also be accorded with a posthumous recognition.