Athletics chief Agapito “Terry” Capistrano has been a quiet benefactor of hundreds of young athletes over the past two decades, genuinely worthy of being honored as Godfather of the Year of the Nickel Asia Corporation Siklab Youth Sports Awards on Thursday night.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president and esteemed La Salle alumnus and sports patron received the prestigious award during the gala held at the Market! Market! Ayala Malls BGC in Taguig City where the nation’s finest youth and junior athletes were likewise recognized.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized as the godfather of our young athletes. They deserve all the support that they could get for them to flourish and excel in their respective sports,” said Capistrano, whose guidance and support brought the defending champion La Salle Green Archers several championships in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

A former mainstay of the La Salle track and field team, Capistrano knows the challenges that young athletes face without sustained proper backing to ensure success, especially in the national team of centerpiece athletics.

Capistrano was joined by special awardees Nesthy Petecio who was named Sports Idol of the Year, Congressman Arjo Atayde as Trailblazer of the Year and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his steadfast efforts in funding the national sports program.

Sharing the limelight were world junior champions Tachiana Mangin of taekwondo, weightlifters Angeline Colonia and Lovely Inan, who headlined the Young Heroes Awardees together with 2024 US Junior Girls champion Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of golf and wushu’s Alexander Gabriel delos Reyes.