Schumi

The fans of Ferrari seem to have mixed feelings about the return of Michael Schumacher. While many, including this deadline beater, are eager to see him race again, there are those who want him to stay retired so as not to tarnish his legacy.

At 40 years old, it seems that only a neck pain is now the barrier to him taking the wheel of the second Ferrari in the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23.

While many might think that the little neck pain is nothing, let us remember that the neck takes a lot of beating for Formula-1 racers due to high G-forces that they need to endure while cornering during races.

If Schumi will indeed be at the wheel on August 23, this should be the second major comeback of a sporting hero this year after seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong also returned to the TdF and finished third.

Those who worry that Schumacher’s return might only tarnish his image, are actually more worried about the ability of Scuderia Ferrari to deliver as a team more than Schumi’s ability to drive the car to victory.

This hasn’t been a good season for the team and the fans hope to see the return of the seven-time world champion as the start of the turn around for the year.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Schumi would indeed make it come August 23.

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A big event is also set on August 23, but this one will be in Camarines Sur, the Ironman 70.3 race.

I learned about it from posts on Facebook and later through an email sent by my good friend Gerry Malixi, who is joining the team event of the race.

Gerry was very excited to inform us that Flying V has decided to sponsor their team, which has him doing the swim, Raul Romulo the bike and Annie Neric the run.

He said that it was a major surprise that Flying V decided to support their team.

I’m sure Gerry, who is also one of the biggest rooters of the La Salle team in the UAAP and an active member of the One La Salle Cebu Alumni Association, will keep us posted about the event in Camarines Sur.

Good luck to Team Flying V.

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Some rules at golf clubs often result to guests finding themselves in very uncomfortable situations.

One time, I saw a dejected player walk away when he was told he can’t play in denims at a golf course in Mindanao. Well, he probably didn’t play that often to know that what we call maong pants are not allowed in many courses.

Here’s a similar story, but this one involved popular Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson who was outraged when he was told at the Sherwood Country Club located in Thousand Oaks, California that he could not play in short pants.

The club only allows players on the course if they wear long pants and the those for sale at the pro shop were worth $250 each or about P12,000.

He did not buy a new pair but went to the locker of his fellow actor Will Smith and borrowed a pair of pants. After the round, he left $20 in Smith’s locker to cover the cost of the laundry.

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MILESTONES: Best wishes to my cousin, Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco ‘Duke’ Frasco, who is tying the knot this afternoon with lawyer Cristina Garcia Codilla, daughter of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. Welcome to the club to both of you and to Cristina, welcome to our family.

Happy birthday greetings go to fellow Sambisig Oscar David Canlas, Virgilio ‘Biyo’ Verde, Jennifer Agdamag-Silan, and Ideal Vision’s Michael Chang, who all turn a year older today.

Belated greetings to my cousin Denden Motus, wife of fellow sports columnist Bobby Motus, who turned a year older last Tuesday.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN