Capistrano bids old friend Juico goodbye
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Terry Capistrano paid tribute to his predecessor and good friend, Philip Ella Juico, remembering his leadership and lasting contributions to Philippine sports.
In a heartfelt message sent to reporters, Capistrano called Juico a dear friend and expressed gratitude for his dedication to athletics and the country’s sporting community after serving as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission from 1996 to 1998 and president of Patafa from 2015 to 2022.
Juico died of lingering illness at 78 last Saturday. His wake is being held at the Capilla del Señor of Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Forbes Park in Makati until Thursday.
“Rest in peace my dear friend Popoy,” said Capistrano, a very good friend of Juico since their boyhood days at De La Salle University. Capistrano eventually succeeded Juico as Patafa president in 2022.
“We are deeply grateful for your leadership, dedication and devotion. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to Philippine Athletics and Philippine sports in general and for the legacy you leave behind.”
Among Juico’s major achievements as Patafa chief was when it made an impressive 11-gold medal haul during the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the country hosted in 2019. The feat was the country’s best performance since winning 11 gold, 11 silver, and 10 bronze medals in the 1983 edition in Singapore.
Under his leadership, stars like Kristina Knott, Eric Cray and Ernest John Obiena also flourished, establishing themselves as elite competitors on the international stage.
Juico resigned in 2022 after he and Obiena settled their dispute over liquidation funds, paving the way for Capistrano to assume the role. Juico, however, didn’t completely fade away from sports as he served as chairman emeritus of Patafa while keeping his spot in the group behind the defunct women’s commercial league, the Philippine Superliga.
Capistrano said Juico’s impact would remain part of the country’s athletics history.
“Your contributions will forever be part of Philippine athletics, maraming salamat Popoy, you will always be in our hearts,” Capistrano said.