MANILA — Taekwondo jin Margarita Bonifacio-Morfe became only the second female athlete to be inducted to the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF).
Bonifacio-Morfe was part of 15 new inductees and two special awardees who were enshrined last Sunday at the Fabilioh XIV at Ricardo and Dr. Rosita Leong Hall Auditorium.
Bonifacio-Morfe is a bronze medalist in the 2003 Bangkok Asian Games, and a gold medalist in the 2003 Southeast Asian Games. She also won silvers in the 1999 and 2001 SEA Games, and a four-time UAAP gold medalist.
Inductees into the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame. Handout photo
"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 G. Aquino, Juan Paolo Pajarito Buendia, Joseph Vincent B. Santos, and Rely San Agustin.
READ: Football greats headline inductees into Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame
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" O. Cojuangco Jr. and Ricardo C. 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.