 A CHARMING 14-year-old taekwondo athlete from Quezon City was named ultimate Pinoy Sports Idol winner recently at the end of the weekly television show’s ninth season on NBN 4.
Charizza Camille Alombro, a senior high school student at Diliman Preparatory School, amassed a total of 91 percent from the judges score sheets and 83 percent from televiewers’ text votes to edge fellow taekwondo jin May Shayne Maranga of General Santos City and trackster Florence Acacio of Ilocos Norte for the top idol honors.
Alombro, Maranga and Acacio disputed the much-coveted title after topping the field of 12 sports idol hopefuls who were all featured in 13 episodes of the show.
Full college scholarships were awarded to the three finalists, with Alombro bagging a bonus participation in a prestigious international competition for being the season’s ultimate idol. All prizes were courtesy of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
PAGCOR has been a major partner of the show since it debuted in 2005. A total of 27 young athletes have already benefited from the college scholarships given out by the state-run gaming firm every season.
According to PAGCOR Chairman Efraim Genuino, helping in the discovery of talented young athletes from the grassroots is part of their agency’s corporate social responsibility and is its way of giving break to underprivileged youths who have exceptional skills in athletics.
“Through Pinoy Sports Idols, we are able to provide hope not only to these kids but to local sports in general,” Chairman Genuino said.
Pinoy Sports Idolsis produced by Timeline Digital Productions and is hosted by taekwondo champion and celebrity endorser John Paul “Japoy” Lizardo. |
