It was a moonshot — a seemingly impossible dream — one that, to some extent, even put his entire political career on the line.

But the urge to be of service, to care for others, and to uphold competence and integrity — virtues ingrained in him by his parents which remain the foundations of who he is as a man, a father, and a mentor — echoed louder in his heart.

On a night meant to honor the brightest of Philippine sporting stars, former Pampanga representative and current Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao emerged as the biggest of them all at the annual Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night.

Not for any major sporting triumph in the past year, but for ensuring that the stars standing before him when he received the President’s Award at the Diamond Hotel will continue to shine brightly for decades to come.

“I feel guilty because I was told I was the first non-athlete to receive this award. So I'm really taking it away from a deserving athlete. But nonetheless, I was consoled — ‘hindi bale, deserving ka naman.’ So, naniwala naman ako,” said Guiao.

The 66-year-old mentor was recognized for spearheading a petition in 2016 questioning PAGCOR for failing to remit the mandated percentage of its gross income, and PCSO for doing the same with a portion of its charity fund, as required under the Philippine Sports Commission Act.

The Supreme Court ruled in Guiao’s favor in 2024 and denied with finality the motions for reconsideration filed by PAGCOR and PCSO this year.

Looking back, it seemed like an impossible battle to win.

“Sino ba si Yeng Guiao to go to the Supreme Court and ask it to take away billions in funds from the Office of the President? It was political suicide,” said Guiao, who invited his lawyer, Atty. Jun Guzman, and former chief of staff Mon Navarra Jr. to join him on stage during his acceptance speech.

“Pag nagalit si Presidente, patay ka. But maybe somebody had to commit political suicide so that Philippine sports could breathe some fresh air,” he stressed.

For Guiao, however, what matters most is paying it forward to Philippine sports, which has given him so much throughout his life.

“Sumuntok po tayo sa buwan, sumuntok sa buwan, pero paminsan-minsan tatamaan niyo yung buwan,” said Guiao, who considers the legal victory the greatest accomplishment of his political and sporting career — even greater than any championship.

“This is a lasting legacy I'd like to leave to my family. Minsan lang ito mangyayari. I don't think this can be repeated again,” he added.

“But I always believe that you honor your parents through the person you become. So I'd like to honor my parents with this award. And I'd like you all to share it because I know you're here because you love sports.”

With the victory, Guiao hopes the PSC will maximize the funds and continue developing the country’s sporting heroes.

“Sana po, dumami pa ang mga Caloy Yulo, dumami pa ang mga Hidilyn Diaz, dumami pa ang mga Alex Eala, mga EJ Obiena. And I will be happy and satisfied that we've had a small part in that,” Guiao said of his fervent wish.

“In a week, in a month's time, in a year's time, we will be forgotten. But that is not important because we did not do this to be remembered. We did this to be of service, whether we're forgotten or not. And we know we will be.

“But the satisfaction is knowing that in our own small way, we have paid it forward,” he stressed.