00:00 They were introduced by a few Filipino athletes, coaches and officials
00:04 who were involved in the sport's first ever Women in Sports Awards.
00:09 This is what Bernadette Pinoy has to say.
00:11 In the International Women's Month,
00:17 a few Filipino athletes were the ones who contributed
00:20 to the first Women in Sports Awards held last night
00:23 at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
00:25 The program was held far away from the Philippines
00:30 where the country's flag was raised.
00:33 To be honest, I've been observing the Southeast Asian Games,
00:38 and it's usually the women that are actually making a mark in sports.
00:42 So I'm very happy for that.
00:44 Hopefully we continue that until next year.
00:46 Senate Committee on Sports Chairman Senator Bong Go
00:51 was also part of the program.
00:52 He was among the 200 athletes nominated from more than 70 sports.
00:57 In every race, race, win or lose,
01:03 we learn discipline, cooperation and integrity.
01:10 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Heidi Lindillas Naranjo,
01:15 Filipino world pool champion Rubilin Amit
01:18 and volleyball star Aliza Valdez were recognized
01:20 as the flame awardees or the athletes who were voted by the name
01:23 and gave inspiration to the new generation of Filipino athletes.
01:27 We're very honored because for the first time,
01:33 we recognized the efforts and achievements of the women athletes.
01:39 Although it's not normal that Valdez was nominated,
01:42 her teammates, MVP Tots Carlos and volleyball star Gemma Galanza, were present.
01:47 The tennis sensation Alex Ayala and Filipino striker Serena Bolden
01:52 were also nominated as Athlete of the Year.
01:54 Bolden also won the award for the tennis sensation.
01:56 Bolden also won the award for the tennis sensation.
01:59 Lidia De Vega was also nominated as Asia's fastest woman in the 80s
02:03 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
02:06 I'm just happy for the women who were not recognized before.
02:09 Because when there are sports awards,
02:12 for example, mixed men and females,
02:15 even if the women perform well,
02:17 the men perform better.
02:21 They are not noticed.
02:23 So by this time, this is the award that can give them importance.
02:29 It's not impossible.
02:30 If you're a determined person, even if you're a woman,
02:32 try your best and show it.
02:35 In the first place, the women in sports awards,
02:38 it is far from being recognized by the Filipino athletes.
02:42 It also shows that the tradition is not limited
02:45 to give honor to the country.
02:47 We're Natan Pinoy for Pambansang TV in Bajo, Philippines.
