Memories of Bobong

Today will mark the final whole-day wake for the late Carlos (Bobong) Velez at the Forbes Park Pavilion on Pandan Road in North Forbes Park before the inurnment tomorrow. Bobong passed away in Dumaguete last June 3 at the age of 71. His cremated remains were at a wake in Tanjay, Dumaguete, up to last Monday then brought to Forbes the next day. A Mass will be celebrated at 7 tonight in the Pavilion.

When news of Bobong’s passage spread, several of his friends and previous associates sent messages of condolence. Retired RFM executive and former Swift team manager Elmer Yanga recalled that he travelled with Bobong to Sondrio, Italy, in 2002 to accompany the Philippine team preparing for the Busan Asian Games. Unfortunately, Elmer said he won’t be in the country during Bobong’s wake in Manila. “Kindly extend our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Bobong V,” said Elmer. 

With Bobong and Elmer on the Sondrio trip were national players Asi Taulava, Andy and Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Boyet Fernandez, Olsen Racela, Kenneth Duremdes, Dennis Espino, Jeff Cariaso, Danny Ildefonso, Mick Pennisi, Rudy Hatfield, Eric Menk and Chris Jackson. Head coach was Jong Uichico and his assistant was Allan Caidic.

I remember Bobong and his partner Maricor took a side trip from Sondrio to Como with Chino Trinidad and me, covering the exhibition games for a documentary, tagging along. Como turned out to be a beautiful and romantic city at the southern tip of a lake. I told myself one day, I would bring my wife Menchu to Como and it took several more years before the dream came true.

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Pro Star Marketing CEO Jay Gervasio said he remembers Bobong fondly for helping out former PBA and La Salle player Miguel Bilbao after suffering a near-death experience in 1985. Jay sent in this message after reading the tribute to Bobong in this column last week.

“Just read your article and it brought back very mixed emotions of sadness for Mike’s near-death experience and years of recuperation and rehabilitation. And happiness that comes from a deep sense of gratitude to many who stepped forward and helped Mike and his family.  One person whose generosity and humanity stands above all was Bobong Velez. When he was asked to help organize a tribute and fund-raising activity for Mike, without hesitation nor reservation, he used the full resources of Vintage (then the PBA media partner), with all its personnel and talent, to organize, coordinate, manage and successfully implement the event.

“Although Bobong managed the entire event and could have easily done so by himself, in his own special way, he allowed and encouraged the friends of Mike to participate, even in our own small way. That was just Bobong’s way. That was just him.”

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Another message came from Levi Castillo. He said: “As head of advertising of Nestle in the mid-80s, I was once a guest on the PBA radio panel along with Butch Maniego and Sev Sarmenta promoting a Milo activity. After the spiel, I was asked to stay behind and add some ‘color.’ It was a Ginebra game so I guess, I did quite well (since Levi is a Jaworski diehard). Bobong heard the broadcast and asked me to come back. I did about four more times. Nestle called my attention regarding conflict of interest so I stopped.

“Bobong gave me GCs to Dona Nena’s (restaurant) as stipend. His marketing group was open to a number of Nestle promos. Bobong was a big part of the annual negotiations. The last time I met Bobong’s brother Ricky was in August last year in Tokyo doing some academe work at Globus, an MBA school based there. My son Leo graduated from the program.”

A Sydney-based PBA fan Nito Lopez wrote: “I liked what you wrote about Bobong as a perfectionist. I remember Bobong was always open even to those who took advantage of his kindness and were ungrateful. Bobong and Vintage took the PBA coverage to new heights with Joe Cantada, Andy Jao and many more.”

It’s not often that a man like Bobong comes along to touch the lives of millions with his heart of gold, his business mind and his sincere concern for others. We’re lucky that in our lifetime, the world became a better place with Bobong around. He will be missed but he’ll live forever in our hearts and fondest memories.