Four Cebuana Athletes Set to Shine at 3rd Women in Sports Awards
Four outstanding Cebuana athletes are poised to receive major honors at the 3rd Women in Sports Awards, scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The event will celebrate 31 major awardees, highlighting the achievements of Filipina athletes as role models and leaders in sports development across the country.
Meet the Cebuana Honorees
The Cebuana athletes being recognized include:
- Elreen Ann Ando: A two-time Olympic weightlifter who recently earned the Athlete of the Year title at the 40th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards. Ando secured a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games and a bronze at the IWF World Championships.
- Cherry Ann “Sisi” Rondina: Hailing from Compostela, Cebu, Rondina won a SEA Games gold medal in women’s beach volleyball alongside her partner and fellow awardee Bernadeth Pons.
- Shagne Paula Yaoyao: An Asian mountain bike champion who excels in both mountain biking and road cycling. Yaoyao recently triumphed at the 2026 Philippine National Championships—Women’s Elite Cross-Country in Danao City.
- Janah Lavador: A vovinam standout who clinched gold at the 2025 Thailand Kickboxing World Cup and earned three bronze medals at the 2024 Asian Vovinam Championships.
Additional Award Highlights
Beyond the Cebuana athletes, the ceremony will honor other notable figures in Philippine sports. The Philippine women’s football team, known as the Filipinas, will be named Athletes of the Year for 2025. Swimmer Angel Mae Otom will receive the Para Athlete of the Year award, while track star Brenda Ramos Zinampan will be recognized with the Masters award.
Celebrating Women in Sports
The awards program aims to promote inclusive sports and gender equality, with 83 awards to be distributed. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, a bowling legend, emphasized the importance of supporting women athletes, Para athletes, coaches, and all contributors to women’s sports. She stated, “We must give special attention to women athletes, Para athletes, their coaches, and everyone who helps promote women in sports.”
Distinguished Guests and Organizers
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has been invited to present major awards and accept the “Ina ng Atletang Pinoy” honor. The event will also feature prominent guests, including Senators Vicente Sotto III, Bong Go, and Risa Hontiveros, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, and PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio. The ceremony is organized by the PSC in collaboration with the Philippine Commission on Women, underscoring a national commitment to advancing women’s roles in sports.
