Only in the Philippines!

The Philippine Sportswritters Association, the country’s oldest media organization, chose Manny Pacquiao as Athlete of the Year for 2008. After winning and fighting thrice in different weight classes last year.This will be Pacquiao’s fifth PSA AOY award after earning the honor from 2002 to 2004 and in 2006.

The four-time world champion will be elevated to the PSA Hall of Fame and will join the likes of bowlers Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo, basketball greats Caloy Loyzaga and Lauro Mumar, pro boxers Pancho Villa and Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, amateur boxer Mansueto “Onyok" Velasco, track stars Lydia De Vega and Mona Sulaiman, swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso, tennis player Felicisimo Ampon, Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre, and golfers Ben Arda and Celestino Tugot.

 PSA Annual Awards Night on Feb. 20, Friday, will be held at the Alegria Lounge of the Manila Pavilion Hotel, where Manny Paquiao will be joined by other personalities who are recognized for their contribution to Philippine sports.