Stuff of greatness at PH sports museum

The PSM is where the personal memorabilia of past Filipino winners in international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and the Olympics are displayed for public viewing.

It’s located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila and the only one of its kind in the Philippines.

On display in the museum are interesting and story-rich items like original medals, plaques and trophies won by the athletes; the uniforms they used inactual competitions like shoes, gears, balls, jackets, gloves, among others.

The items were mostly donated voluntarily either by the family of the departed athletes, or the athletes themselves, who had already retired and those who are still alive.

“That’s why we invite the families of departed champions to donate more items because we are expanding the museum,” said Annie Ruiz, PSM’s officer–in-charge.

The museum is divided into several cubicles according to sports disciplines such as athletics and track and field; karatedo, taekwondo and judo; sailing, rowing and windsurfing; billiards, snooker and shooting; dancesport, gymnastics and weightlifting; boxing, sepak takraw, chess and golf; basketball, softball, baseball and volleyball; equestrian and wushu; and swimming and bowling sections.

Awareness and inspiration

At the center of it all is the Olympic Games section which is the main attraction of the museum.

On exhibit here are blown-up photos of Filipino Olympic medalists and their personal items like shoes, uniforms.

Among them were the uniforms, gloves and the actual medal won by boxing silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA.

The Philippines has so far won three silver and seven bronze medals, with boxing as the top medal-producing sport.

All Filipino Olympic medalists and some of their memorabilia are displayed like those owned by Teofilo Yldefonso who bagged two bronze medals in the men’s 200-meter breastroke in swimming in 1928 Amsterdam Olympiad and in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics; High jumper Simeon Toribio and boxer Jose Villanueva, who also took bronze medal each in Los Angeles.

Also featured are Miguel White, bronze medalist in the men’s 400 meters hurdles in 1936; Anthony Villanueva, silver medalist in the men’s featherweight of boxing in 1964 Tokyo Olympics; Leopoldo Serrantes, boxing bronze medalist in 1988 Seoul Olympics; Roehl Velasco, boxing bronze medalist in the 1992 Barcelona and Velasco.

Rio 2016 Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz was the most recent donor to the museum as she shared her parade uniforms. She also allowed the PSC to make a replica of her medal for display. Her items though are yet to be displayed.

The Philippines first competed in the 1924 Olympic Games but has not yet won a gold medal.

Travel exhibit

The museum started as part of a travel exhibit by the Philippine Sports Commission during the term of chairman William Ramirez in 2005-2008. A few medals, trophies and paraphernalia by Filipino athletes were put in display in the duration of the PSC’s BAtang Pinoy, Philippine National Games and other PSC-sponsored activities that were held in different parts of the country.

Ramirez’s goal was to “create awareness about our past sports achievers and inspire the participants to pursue excellence in their chosen field and become sports heroes of the future generation.”

When Ramirez returned to the PSC in June 30, 2016, the expansion of the museum is on the list of his programs with the main objective of paying tribute to the Filipino sports heroes who made the country proud in the global stage.

Ramirez also hopes to create awareness on the greatness of the Filipino athletes, and in the process, motivate the next generation to excel in their chosen fields.

House rules

Ruiz said the museum is open to interested corporate groups or students.

To maintain order, there are house rules to be followed inside the museum because “we want to make the visit pleasant to everyone.”

First, all the visitors’ belongings are to be left at the counter although pencil and a writing pad or notebook are allowed.

Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode. Taking selfie and groupie maybe arranged prior to the visit. And no horseplaying while inside the museum.

The items and display cases are not allowed to be touched. For obvious reason—these are considered national treasures and, therefore, should treated with utmost care.

For details, contact 525-0808 local 156 or send inquiry through email address: supportservices@psc.gov.ph