Philippine basketball great Rene ‘Bong’ Hawkins received one of the highest honors of his career as his iconic Perpetual Help Altas jersey No. 12 was formally retired on Friday at the Home of the Altas Gym II.
The ceremony was held as part of the University Week celebration and in conjunction with the 50th Foundation Anniversary of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA campus in Barangay Pamplona III.
Hawkins was joined by university president Anthony Tamayo, vice president for sports Anton Tamayo, and school director Arnaldo De Guzman during the emotional jersey-raising ceremony held at halftime of the Sports Fest Finals.
“It’s an honor and pride to be one of the athletes to have a jersey retirement like this,” said Hawkins. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Tamayo Family, especially to Sir Tony, Ma’am Daisy, Sir Anthony, our President, and Anton Tamayo, Vice President for Sports, sa parangal na ito.”
Known as “The Hawk,” Hawkins emerged as one of Perpetual’s earliest basketball standouts, playing for the Altas from 1984 to 1989 under coach Roberto Littaua. He helped lead the Las Piñas-based squad to its first NCAA Finals appearance in Season 65, alongside teammates Eric Quiday and Ronald Sy, before falling to the defending champion San Sebastian Golden Stags.
Hawkins went on to build a decorated professional career in the Philippine Basketball Association, earning recognition as one of the league’s 50 Greatest Players. His accolades include a PBA Finals Most Valuable Player award in the 1996 Commissioner’s Cup, eight PBA championships, multiple Mythical Team selections, a Most Improved Player award, and an All-Defensive Team citation.
The jersey retirement adds to a string of recent honors for Hawkins, who was also named Distinguished Alumni in Sports during the university’s Grand Alumni Homecoming on February 7, 2026, at the The Manila Hotel.
Hawkins now joins fellow Perpetual standout Scottie Thompson, whose jersey No. 6 was retired in 2023, as among the elite Altas legends immortalized in the university’s basketball history.
