THE best of Philippine sports in 2008 gather together tonight when they are honored in a simple two-hour ceremony during the San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards? Night at the Alegria Lounge of the Manila Pavilion Hotel.

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, the world?s best pound-for-pound fighter today, leads the 60-member honor roll list as he will be bestowed the Athlete of the Year award by the country?s sportswriting fraternity.

The ring hero from General Santos City was simply spectacular in the year that has just passed, winning all of his fights in three different weight divisions, the most remarkable of which was his stunning eighth-round stoppage of the legendary Oscar de la Hoya.

Apart from the Athlete of the Year honor, the 30-year-old Pacquiao is also set to be enshrined in the PSA Hall of Fame.

Business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan is the guest of honor and speaker in the special program that starts at 8 p.m., and will be joined by the country?s top sports leaders led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping and International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde.

Pangilinan is also the recipient of the Sports Patron of the Year award.

Led by the reigning Women?s World Cup of Golf champion Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin, 11 personalities will receive a major award from the country?s oldest media organization during the affair also sponsored by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and aired live over dzSR Sports Radio 918.

The rest of the major awardees include two other golfers in Angelo Que and Dottie Ardina, cager Kelly Williams, young chess grandmaster Wesley So, wushu bet Willy Wang, pool star Dennis Orcollo, world champion Nonito Donaire Jr, champion jockey Jonathan Hernandez and horses Go Army and Ibarra.

Senator Manuel Villar is this year?s choice for the President?s Award, while the Outstanding National Sports Association will be conferred to the Wushu Federation of the Philippines.

Also supporting the event are Villar Foundation, Senator Francis ?Chiz? Escudero, PSC, POC, Shakey?s, Accel, Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, National Capital Region Athletic Association, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Purefoods, Ginebra, Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Rain or Shine, Ever Bilena, Harbour Centre, Liga Pilipinas, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Pharex, Games and Amusements Board and Mighty Sports Association.