INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and Southeast Asian Games Best Male Athlete Miguel Molina, along with 85 other personalities and entities who shone in Philippine sports last year, will be feted today by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in glittering rites at the SM Mall of Asia.

Donaire, who is preparing for his next title defense in Dubai against Australian Hussein Hussein, has postponed his trip back to the United States to personally receive the award, while Molina, 23, will arrive from Tokyo to receive the Athletes of the Year Awards in the two-hour long affair to be broadcast by ABC-5 and DZSR Sports Radio 918.

Senate President Manny Villar is the special guest of honor in the colorful rites beginning at 5:30 p.m. Also gracing the rites are sports officials led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco Jr.and Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez who will join the PSA in paying tribute to the best and the brightest who made 2007 another memorable year for Philippine sports.

Also taking center stage during the program backed by Shakey’s, PSC, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, Accel, Toby’s, Raymundo’s Trophies and Sculptures (www.raymundosawards.com), Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, Air21, Noosa Shoes and Raymund Yu and Terry Que of Welcoat Paints is ring sensation Manny Pacquiao who will receive the PSA President’s Award.

All awardees will receive the newly-crafted PSA perpetual trophy designed by Gerald Raymundo.

PSA president Aldrin Cardona of the Tribune said awardees who failed to receive their invitations can get them at the reception area of the SM Mall of Asia before the rites.

Golfer Frankie Minoza, chess Grandmaster Wesley So, billiards idol Ronnie Alcano, basketball stars Mar Caguioa (pro), Jason Castro (amateur), cycling champion Victor Espiritu, jockey Patti Dilema and champion horse Es Twenty Six will be honored with major awards while young stalwarts Mia Legaspi, Marcel Puyat and the RP junior wushu team led by Mary Stepanie Agbay and Henson John See will receive the Toby’s-Tony Siddayao Youth Excellence awards.

To be elevated to the PSA Hall of Fame is BEST Center while the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association is the year’s Most Outstanding National Sports Association.

Leading those to be given citations are the 41 gold medal winners in the Thailand SEA Games. Posthumous awards will also be awared to seven personalities headed by former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Jun Bernardino and many-time SEA Games champion Jaime Sebastian.

Well-known sports broadcaster Patricia Bermundes-Hizon and husband Vince Hizon will show the show to be preceded by a rock and dance concert top-billed by reggae group Tropical Depression, Session Road, Dream Kitchen, Pancake 80, 52nd Street and the all-male dance group Abztract Dancers.

A fashion show featuring Accel’s latest summer collection and swimwear, a photo exhibit and sports memorabilia exhibit will also spice the event.