Bonifacio-Morfe leads ASHOF inductees

Fifteen new inductees and two special awardees were enshrined in the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF), taking their rightful place among fellow sporting greats on Sunday at Fabilioh XIV at Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall Auditorium.

Leading the cast is 1998 Bangkok Asian Games bronze medalist Margarita Bonifacio-Morfe as she made history, becoming only the second woman to be part of the Hall.

On top of her Asiad achievement, the decorated taekwondo jin won a Southeast Asian Games gold in 2003, a pair of silver medals (1999 and 2001), and a bronze medal (1997), while also bringing honor to Katipunan with her four University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) gold medals.

"Being inducted into the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame is a meaningful honor. What began with a white belt at Ateneo became a journey greater than I imagined. The medals and victories are special, but the people, lessons, friendships, and values are its true treasures," she said.

"Taekwondo gave me the privilege of representing Ateneo and eventually the Philippines as a member of the National Team. Those years brought early mornings, long commutes, countless hours of training, victories, defeats, and sacrifices. They taught me discipline, perseverance, resilience, humility, and courage—values that continue to guide me today."

Getting their laurels in the Class of 2026 as well were Ateneo football greats Mark Allan Ramos, Ramon Espejo Jr., Domeka Gaizka Garamendi, Paolo Antonio Aquino, Juan Paolo Pajarito Buendia, Joseph Vincent Santos, and Rely San Agustin.

Also part of the batch were track and field legends Felix Santillan, Illac Diaz, and Juan Carlos Arteficio, together with swimming studs John Paul Pang and Raem Puno, and juniors track and field coaches Benjamin Silva-Netto and Edward Sediego.

Ramon “Choy” Cojuangco Jr. and Ricardo Leong were also feted as the Special Awardees for this year's edition.

Cojuangco was honored for his patronage of Ateneo volleyball and basketball, including support for student-athlete scholarships and championship programs, while Leong was hailed for his contributions to Ateneo athletics and education.